[Yazman]

Hey all, long-time lurker, first-time poster. I have a 2012 Hyundai Elantra sedan Limited with the 1.8L, about 145k.

I have a very annoying and noticeable rattley/clunking noise over the slightest bump in the road. I hear it continuously when I am driving on Ohio roads. For the longest time I thought it was just my hood rattling, but I'm almost certain it is not. Here are the clues:

I've replaced the sway bar links twice and it hasn't made a difference (although it totally sounds like sway bar links)
It only happens on the left side and never the right
When I'm parked and turn the wheel from left to right there is no noise
I've already replaced the mpds coupler
Shaking the wheel at noon & 6, and 3 & 9 I don't feel any slack
It's not the brakes, because it makes the same noise even when I am applying the brakes almost fully
Pushing hard on the bumper/front end does not reproduce the noise
From the threads here I am reading, I am thinking possibly:

Strut mount
CV axle
Intermediate steering shaft
Tie rod (even though it feels tight?)
Ball joint (again, even though it feels tight?)
Steering rack
Anyone else have any ideas? I thought about throwing new strut assemblies on there, since they have never been done, but that is a lot of cash to throw at a maybe.

I'm dying for some help. I am in school and I have a kid and pregnant wife, so I want to be reasonably sure what I am replacing will actually help, as my time and funds are limited.

Thanks!

 

[Yazman]

Ok. Well, I bought struts and hopefully that fixes it. Thanks anyways.

 

[Vilhjamr]

Struts is a could be good start, but prolly should have done some diagnostic work first. But personally i would have thrown her on jacks and stands and made sure all your suspension parts from struts to sway bar links were tight to spec and then taken a pry bar to all your control arm bushings and ball joints, etc. and then re-evaluate.

 

[DocDoug]

I would have said it is the sway bar links. A few years, I took my 2013 Elantra to the dealership for a noise that I told them was more than likely the sway bar link. Since I had a warranty, I didn't touch it. They advised they are excellent at what they do and will have the problem fixed. I offered to speak to the technician but.... their attitude was I know nothing. (I didn't share that I am a 35 year shade tree mechanic... that has done more than any of their young techs.) Fast forward, they proudly called me and said they ordered a new strut and it would take 7-10 days. The strut was reportedly bad. Two weeks later, they replaced the strut. I said one, not the pair? Who does this? (This places the whole front end out of calibration, with one new strut and the other with 50,000 miles.) What do I am know, I am an idiot. Hyundai would not replace both under warranty. I drove the "repaired" vehicle 2/10 of a mile and the SAME sound was present. I returned to the dealership and now I showed them how "excellent" they are and what an idiot I am. I told them to NOW change the XXX XXX sway bar link, like I said to do. They did this in one hour, while I waited, and it was immediately fixed. For this reason, I will never purchase another Hyundai The dealership is clueless and arrogant and the warranty is useless.

Side note, when I asked if they would replace just one strut, if I was paying for it... they said no, they would never recommend this. What the hell? AVOID HYUNDAI

 

[Joshua]

What strut assemblies are suggested for the 2013 Elantra GLS?

 

[Joshua]

Ok. Well, I bought struts and hopefully that fixes it. Thanks anyways.

Which brand of strut did you go with? Did it take care of any suspension rattles/issues?

 

[DocDoug]

Ok. Well, I bought struts and hopefully that fixes it. Thanks anyways.

Did the struts fix your noise problem?

 

[dawsondavid006]

I would have said it is the sway bar links. A few years, I took my 2013 Elantra to the dealership for a noise that I told them was more than likely the sway bar link. Since I had a warranty, I didn't touch it. They advised they are excellent at what they do and will have the problem fixed. I offered to speak to the technician but.... their attitude was I know nothing. (I didn't share that I am a 35 year shade tree mechanic... that has done more than any of their young techs.) Fast forward, they proudly called me and said they ordered a new strut and it would take 7-10 days. The strut was reportedly bad. Two weeks later, they replaced the strut. I said one, not the pair? Who does this? (This places the whole front end out of calibration, with one new strut and the other with 50,000 miles.) What do I am know, I am an idiot. Hyundai would not replace both under warranty. I drove the "repaired" vehicle 2/10 of a mile and the SAME sound was present. I returned to the dealership and now I showed them how "excellent" they are and what an idiot I am. I told them to NOW change the XXX XXX sway bar link, like I said to do. They did this in one hour, while I waited, and it was immediately fixed. For this reason, I will never purchase another Hyundai The dealership is clueless and arrogant and the warranty is useless.

Side note, when I asked if they would replace just one strut, if I was paying for it... they said no, they would never recommend this. What the hell? AVOID HYUNDAI

its not the manufacture, its the bad crooked dealers, i never allow them to touch my 2012 Elantra with 220k , best car i hv ever owned in 40yrs, and 15 cars