Touchy steering -- 2004 Santa Fe 3.5L

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BETA-2K

I'm looking to buy a used car, most likely a Hyundai Santa Fe or Tucson.

Yesterday, I did a test drive an a Hyundai dealership on a 2004 Santa Fe
with a 3.5L engine. Everything seemed fine except for what I call "touchy
steering". I can't remember what the correct term is, but the feeling is
that while going straight down a highway it feels like the slightest change
in steering makes the vehicle feel unstable. It's as if I have to
constantly pay close attention to the steering while going straight because
it feels like it will veer off in one direction or another. The feeling is
that if the road were wet it could easily spin out. There is no play in the
steering, so it's not like it's shifting direction on it's own while the
steering wheel remains stationary. There is no vibration etc. -- just what
feels like hypersensitive steering. I am going back to the dealership
tomorrow.

I'm guessing it has something to do with the alignment. However, I work in
a job where I drive a number of different Ford Expeditions depending on
where I am based that day. And one of them is new (2006) and has the same
steering issue that I can feel on the Santa Fe. A number of other people
have noticed the same thing and that one vehicle has gone back to the Ford
dealership a couple of times but each time they say the alignment is fine
and they can't find anything wrong.

So, I'm just wondering if anyone has any thoughts or ideas about this
regarding the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe.

Thanks.

(P.S. I'm in Camden County, New Jersey.)
 
I haven't noticed anything abnormal, but maybe I'm just used to it.

Some Santa Fes had ball joint issues, so you might want to check out the
ball joints. And check the tire pressures as well. Low rear tire
pressure can make a vehicle very unstable.
 
May just need a four wheel alignment. When I bought my 05 350 called them in
a couple of days . They had me take it to firestone. Had a new Concorde that
would wander. alignment fixed that. Needs to be done in a place that
specialzes
 
hyundaitech said:
I haven't noticed anything abnormal, but maybe I'm just used to it.

Some Santa Fes had ball joint issues, so you might want to check out the
ball joints. And check the tire pressures as well. Low rear tire
pressure can make a vehicle very unstable.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I'll check that out. I think it is something unique to this
particular vehicle -- which also made me think, "Well, duh, why don't I
drive one or two others and compare?" I'm almost positive that I'll find
that the others are fine and don't have that steering issue.

But, I also just read the "How much did you pay?" thread above and it dawned
on me that a new 2006 or 2007 may cost a lot less than I thought. I just
found this newsgroup yesterday and I'm getting a crash course (no pun
intended) in Hyundai's.
 
Hi,
I have a 2005 3.5L, and have friends with 2003 and 2004 models, and the
steering is rock solid on all of them. No wandering or any problems keeping
it in a straight line. If you are feeling this in a test drive there is
something wrong with the car. It might be minor, like tire pressure or an
alignment, but it might be major, like a bent frame or badly worn suspension
parts.

Jon in Philly.
 
Zeppo said:
Hi,
I have a 2005 3.5L, and have friends with 2003 and 2004 models, and the
steering is rock solid on all of them. No wandering or any problems
keeping it in a straight line. If you are feeling this in a test drive
there is something wrong with the car. It might be minor, like tire
pressure or an alignment, but it might be major, like a bent frame or
badly worn suspension parts.

Jon in Philly.
Click to expand...

I ended up buying a different vehicle at another dealership yesterday. It's
a 2004 Santa Fe LX 4WD with a 3.5L engine and 22,500 miles. The steering is
definitely better and different than the other one I had looked at, but I'm
finding it steers like a truck. Maybe I'm just used to a power steering
vehicle where, if I wanted to, I could easily steer it, turn it, etc. with
one hand. Steering the Santa Fe that I bought is like work. It actually
takes some arm strength which seems strange, but maybe that's just the way
they steer.
 
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