Wife's car problems... Not a Toyota...SMH... Help

My wife has a 2011 Hyundai Sonata and has had since before we were married or else she wouldn't lol. Have had so many issues with that car and the latest was the other day we got back from our trip and got to the car which sat in the parking lot at the airport for a week and a half. We get loaded up and start down the lanes of the parking lot and hear a knocking noise coming from the driver side rear wheel that sounds like it knocks with the spinning wheel. I got under the car and looked and everything looks normal. Nothing touching the wheel, bolts are tight.. I'm not a mechanic so I have little knowledge. Anyone have any knowledge they can impart?

 

You don't say what happened 'after'. As in did it continue all the way home, up and down with speed, etc etc. Could be a rock in the tread of the tire, could be a wheel bearing or something else.

First I'd eliminate the tire/wheel as being the issue, simply by swapping with another corner and see if the noise moves or stays at that location.

If it moves, you know what to work on to figure it out.

If it 'stays', indicating something other than the wheel/tire, you either are going to have to dig deeper or get professional help.

Doesn't it have a 10 year 100k warranty? Use it!

Not sure what your Hyundai issues have been, and certainly every marquee has its weak points. But everyone I know that has Sonatas and Elantras has had great service from them. Sorry yours has put a bad taste in your mouth.

 

Thanks Bill!

It seemed to get quieter the faster I went and was very faint by the time we were on the road after about 20 min.

I made sure all of the rocks were out of the tread and that there were no nails or anything in the wheel.

My wife said it wasn't really doing it this morning driving around. But she isn't really sensitive to the sounds and feels of the vehicle lol

 

rust on the brake rotors. quite common in a vehicle thats sat a while

 

Possible bad wheel hub bearing. The more you drive it, the warmer it gets, therefore noise fades. Pull the wheel off and spin the hub. It should spin smooth,

 

Left a car at the airport for a month a while back...left the e brake on and had a similar issue. Rust was my issue...

 

I would guarantee someone else's left nut that it's a lump of rust on the rotors....
Ex Service Advisor at a Hyundai Dealer

Hyundai's rotors/brakes are infamous for issues like that.

If it's 4 years old and has never had it done, check the thickness and have them shaved to remove the bumps and pits. This will buy you more time before needing new rotors and pads. Chances are if you have the pads changed and the rotors cut you'll be fine for a few more years.

 

Hyundai in the 2nd gen section?

What next?

 

There's drum brakes in the rear. Does that make a difference?

 

Unwillingness to involve self...lack of confidence in proclamation indicated...

Still bet you're correct...disc or drum.

 

Sat for a week at airport. You got flat spot on tires that's why it went away after driving awhile

 

I missed the rear wheel part... Sorry. Glad I was betting someone else's nuts on the rotors. But I'd suspect rear brakes. How many miles on the car? Did you have the parking brake engaged? When's the last time the rears were cleaned out? I cannot tell you how many people would come in and there was nothing left of the shoes.

 

No, telling the last time they were cleaned. Before I got married atleast... Doubtful before that. I'll look into it! Thanks Hogey!

 

I hope it's a cheap and easy fix. We used to also have E-brake issues where they'd become frozen. The undersides of Hyundais rust worse than Toyotas. Unlike the huge amounts of surface rust you see on Toyotas, Hyundai rust is nasty stuff. Make sure you use the E-Brake a few times here and there to ensure it stays usable.