Third Diff's a Charm

[Sewie]

I hope so. :mad: :mad:

I took my truck in yesterday because I was getting "that" grinding noise in the front end again.

Talked with the service guy a little while ago and its the front diff again. :mad: :mad: Chipped teeth on the gear. They're going to take pics this time and send them to me.

It broke the first time back in Jan. before they came out with the "new" supposedly hardened gears :rolleyes: so I expected it to go at some point. But I can't really think of any times where it could have happened. Maybe one spot in Moab but that was a month ago. :confused: You'd think I would have noticed it since I'm paranoid about every noise now.

I'm just glad I caught it before the Rubicon trip.

[wpage]

Sounds like it cant handle the load:mad:

[fourfourto]

I hope so. :mad: :mad:

I took my truck in yesterday because I was getting "that" grinding noise in the front end again.

Talked with the service guy a little while ago and its the front diff again. :mad: :mad: Chipped teeth on the gear. They're going to take pics this time and send them to me.

It broke the first time back in Jan. before they came out with the "new" supposedly hardened gears :rolleyes: so I expected it to go at some point. But I can't really think of any times where it could have happened. Maybe one spot in Moab but that was a month ago. :confused: You'd think I would have noticed it since I'm paranoid about every noise now.

I'm just glad I caught it before the Rubicon trip.




What kind of noise?
Was it at the stop or all the time.

[BlueHUMMERH2]

These front diff. problems are disconcerting. :(

[Sewie]

What kind of noise?
Was it at the stop or all the time.

Its a grinding noise when you let off the gas and coast. It was really faint this time and could only really be heard if I was going 40MPH+.

Last time it was the same noise, but louder and very obvious.

[Hmmm2]

What kind of noise?
Was it at the stop or all the time.
ROFLOL fourfourto ... you are DEFINITELY getting paranoid now! Just joking .. I do know how you feel. I watched every post here like a hawk trying to figure out what my groan/grind was. You know, f5fstop 'diagnosed' mine from the start. (I always wonder if he gets migraines from all of the questiosn directed to him.:eek:)

[HummBebe]

Its a grinding noise when you let off the gas and coast. It was really faint this time and could only really be heard if I was going 40MPH+.

Last time it was the same noise, but louder and very obvious.

Mine's doing the same thing....it's going in on Monday...:crying: :crying: :crying:

[HummBebe]

You didn't mention if it is being covered under warranty.....is it???

[Hmmm2]

Is it a continuous grinding sound even when coasting???? Do you have 5-speed manual or automatic?

[HummBebe]

It almost sounds like the heat exchangers rattling, but it only happens when coasting, and makes no noise below 30mph.

Mines a bunch louder than it was last week....


DAMMIT!!!

[lotus4s]

It's a MOAB virus......:giggling:


I really do feel for you Sewie and Bebe and HI, they really should get to the bottom of this and do something about it. It seems like you guys/gals who wheel a little more hard core particularly rock crawling are the ones having the most problem. I'm afraid my number is going to be up one of these days.....:( :crying:

[f5fstop]

All I can say is, this issue pisses me off more than any other issue GM has at this time. Maybe, and I say maybe, if enough front diffs are replaced, the people who made the decision not to go with the heavier cast iron front diff (vs the aluminum diff) will decide it is best to replace with cast iron diffs as the vehicles come in with broken front ends.

I have grumbled, argued and made slide remarks to certain people in regard to this issue and all I get are cold stares. I have tried different approaches such as make the stronger diff part of the adventure package for a hundred more.

l'm at a loss as to what to do.

I can say that I have heard the stronger gear set should help, but will it help for those who climb in the Moab area or the Rubicon. Sure it will help quite a few who just off-road on severe roads such as the ones I ran in Moab. But for those who are out climbing the escalator, golden spike, etc.?

All I can say is I can see no way, someone could refuse warranty on the front diff if it was destroyed off-roading. Hummer advertises this fact on their own website, and I cannot believe any arbitrator would rule in favor of GM/Hummer on this issue.

[HummBebe]

I'll just continue my quest for the cast iron housing.

Problem is, they were fine in Moab and on the Rubicon. We did not break anything, to the point of failure.


Sewie, HI and I, had our initial R&P's changed before they decided to increase the hardness of the R&P. So we probably have old defective stock.

However,

I'm thinking that once the housing flexed enough to break the gear, it could be permanently out of shape?

Maybe replacing the the R&P AND the Housing could be the ticket?

If they base thier decisions solely on beans, I would be surprised. It could be that some obscure engineer is defending HIS decision to use aluminum.

Whatever......:rolleyes:

They need to get it figured out before my warranty is up.

And Sewie, see if you can get them to change the housing too.

[HummerNewbie]

Sorry to hear this and hope that is gets taken care of correctly this time. As Bebe said, not sure that just hardened gears is the fix but sure hope the come up with something soon :mad:

[Urban Ops]

Mine's doing the same thing....it's going in on Monday...:crying: :crying: :crying:


I've noticed like a gear whining noise when decelerating too. More now than when it was new. Let me know what they say. I'm always looking for an excuse to go see Dina and Tina. :p

[Sewie]

You didn't mention if it is being covered under warranty.....is it???

I haven't heard otherwise.

[NEOCON1]

These front diff. problems are disconcerting. :(


all the trucks with these problems are getting wheeled harder every month than most H3's will get wheeled in its life time :p

yes the front diff could be beefier or atleast equal to the rear . hopefully this will be resolved by 08-09 model year , the first couple years of H2 had similar troubles . if my second one comes apart i will let them replace it again :giggling:

Sewie , Bummer are you and HI in a competition ????? :p You gonna be back together for the Rubi ?? , good luck

[NEOCON1]

i think the answer is under the front of my 90 Z71 , :grouphug: Cast Iron :iagree:

[f5fstop]

hopefully this will be resolved by 08-09 model year

Yes and no...(I know, I'm a smart ass, but really can't say here yes or no):D

[NEOCON1]

Yes and no...(I know, I'm a smart ass, but really can't say here yes or no):D


oh oh , sounds like they are more concerned with engine upgrades than a bullet proof front diff . hope they dont plan on this being the front for the V8 we would see lots more ( i think ) fail in the real world .

[Field Scout]

These front diff. problems are disconcerting. :(

Tell me, I blew my first this past weekend:crying: build date may 06 wonder if I had the "new beefier version":confused:

[HummBebe]

Just got back from the Dealership.

Went for a spin with the Shop Foreman....he said whatever it is , it is not good.

I still think it's the front ring gear, he opened the door while we were moving, and MAN was it loud. Could be the rear ring gear or the T-case.

I'll side with f5 that it's not likely the t-case.

I'll know more later today!:(

[The Green Lantern]

Man, with all these problems, now I have to worry about mine being an early-built, even though I don't drive it much anymore.

[NEOCON1]

has anyone blown one in a base model yet ???????????? you maybe safe TGL ;)

[Sewie]

Yes and no...(I know, I'm a smart ass, but really can't say here yes or no):D

What about other upcoming models? :confused:

[Sewie]

Tell me, I blew my first this past weekend:crying: build date may 06 wonder if I had the "new beefier version":confused:

Details. We need details.

[Field Scout]

Details. We need details.

I was trying some to make it up an obsticle only 1's and 2's were doing,:D made it to the top but just couldn't get over,:( gave the throttle a little bump and hoped sideways towards a tree and drop off,:eek: that sideways hop made it so I couldnt back down(big rock behind me) so I gave it another bump to the gas and hop hop POW.:crying: someone get the strap and pull me over the top. was able to finish the day:beerchug: but got it towed to a dealer, waiting to hear from them now:o

[HummBebe]

I take it Phil was there??? What were his thoughts?

[HummBebe]

Bueller????.....Bueller????

[Field Scout]

I take it Phil was there??? What were his thoughts?

he was there, trying to spot me up the hill, no one was sure I busted anything at first. there was alot of skid plate being abused at the same time.:p but Terry, who does fab work for hummers,said it sounded like I blew my diff. going down the trail to the next stop I could hear it. kept on going till time to go home. on the road home it was worse so I stopped and called Phil for ideasand he said it was probably busted and to get it flatbeded to the dealer.

BTW anyone who thought putting a hinge on your rear plate would save it. it didnt save mine. by the end of the day mine was like a rolled up newspaper:giggling:

[NEOCON1]

he was there, trying to spot me up the hill, no one was sure I busted anything at first. there was alot of skid plate being abused at the same time.:p but Terry, who does fab work for hummers,said it sounded like I blew my diff. going down the trail to the next stop I could hear it. kept on going till time to go home. on the road home it was worse so I stopped and called Phil for ideasand he said it was probably busted and to get it flatbeded to the dealer.

BTW anyone who thought putting a hinge on your rear plate would save it. it didnt save mine. by the end of the day mine was like a rolled up newspaper:giggling:


thanks for the heads up on the rear plate hinge :giggling: atleast you got that research in before busting :p ;)

[HummerNewbie]

has anyone blown one in a base model yet ???????????? you maybe safe TGL ;)

2 front and 1 (maybe 2 now) rear for HI :mad:

[Mike E]

I've blown a front diff in my base model and I think the one in thier now is going. I have an appointment for this Saturday morning at the dealer. When I go about 50mph and let off the gas, I hear what sounds like a chain riding against metal. It;s like a chattering sound. Also, my gas mileage has dropped considerably.

[Sewie]

You didn't mention if it is being covered under warranty.....is it???
I haven't heard otherwise.

I may have jinxed myself. :mad: :mad: :mad:

The dealer says their area rep has been giving them grief about some of their warranty work. Since this is the second failure of the same part in 6-7 months they're afraid the claim is going to get rejected. They asked me to escalate it with Hummer assistance so they can go ahead with the work under warranty. I'm on the phone with them right now. :rant:

[Sewie]

I also went back to look at the diff. You can see the damage to the pinion gear and some wear on the ring gear.

30984

The tech is the same guy that worked on it last time. Since I didn't get to see the damage last time I asked him about it. He said there were chips on both the ring and pinion gears last time, on multiple teeth. They replaced the whole diff last time, housing and all.

[HummBebe]

How is that your problem???
:rant: :rant: :rant: :rant: :rant: :rant: :rant: :rant: :rant: :rant:

[Ipedog]

How is that your problem???
:rant: :rant: :rant: :rant: :rant:
xUmpteen Brazillion! :rant: :rant: :rant: :rant: :rant:

[Sewie]

OK, let me just say that Hummer Customer Assistance ROCKS!!!!

So I called up and said I wanted to open up a case since my truck was in for a second diff failure. The lady took my info and said she'd put me on hold while she called the service manager. A couple minutes later she comes back online and tells me everything will be covered under warranty, she'll check back in with me on Monday, and they'll compensate me for the inconvenience. :jump: She said they just want me to be completely satisfied. The whole call took less than 10 minutes.

BTW, I don't really blame the dealership. They suggested I call so we could get past the area GM rep and speed up the process. The service manager had no problem doing the work under warranty.

[Ipedog]

Excellent News Sewie! :perfect10s:

I'm glad that they're going to take care of you. OBTW... Did you ask them about replacing with a cast iron unit? Just wondering, especially as the worst thing they could have said was "no"

[HummBebe]

Excellent News Sewie! :perfect10s:

I'm glad that they're going to take care of you. OBTW... Did you ask them about replacing with a cast iron unit? Just wondering, especially as the worst thing they could have said was "no"

The cast iron unit does not exist....this knowledge comes from many hours of futile searching.

Good job Sewie and GM. Who the hell do these reps think they are anyway. It's gonna be at least an hour before my blood pressure comes down after that story. Jeesus!

[HummBebe]

All I can say is I can see no way, someone could refuse warranty on the front diff if it was destroyed off-roading. Hummer advertises this fact on their own website, and I cannot believe any arbitrator would rule in favor of GM/Hummer on this issue.


See, someone needs to show the GM warranty Reps their own fooking website.:rant:

[Ipedog]

The cast iron unit does not exist....this knowledge comes from many hours of futile searching.

Oh... :(

[HummBebe]

Oh... :(

Sorry Ipe, I should say I can't find one to save myself. They were made at one time. But whether or not they would work remains to be seen.

If I could just get my hands on one, or

I have checked Junkyards, partshouses, internet, Pirate....everywhere.

Or a drawing like this....

[Sewie]

Originally Posted by f5fstop

All I can say is I can see no way, someone could refuse warranty on the front diff if it was destroyed off-roading. Hummer advertises this fact on their own website, and I cannot believe any arbitrator would rule in favor of GM/Hummer on this issue.


Yeah, "abuse" came up several times in my conversations this morning. I wasn't really being accused of abusing the truck, but more they wanted to verify I wasn't. :rolleyes:

It was determined I was "using it to its full abilities" and sh*t "was just breaking." :jump:

[Mike E]

Yeah, "abuse" came up several times in my conversations this morning. I wasn't really being accused of abusing the truck, but more they wanted to verify I wasn't. :rolleyes:

It was determined I was "using it to its full abilities" and sh*t "was just breaking." :jump:

--I'm glad to see they are at least recognizing that we are using these trucks for what they built them for and there is a SERIOUS weak point in the driveline. I hope they are working on a upgraded version for us!!

[NEOCON1]

OK, let me just say that Hummer Customer Assistance ROCKS!!!!

So I called up and said I wanted to open up a case since my truck was in for a second diff failure. The lady took my info and said she'd put me on hold while she called the service manager. A couple minutes later she comes back online and tells me everything will be covered under warranty, she'll check back in with me on Monday, and they'll compensate me for the inconvenience. :jump: She said they just want me to be completely satisfied. The whole call took less than 10 minutes.

BTW, I don't really blame the dealership. They suggested I call so we could get past the area GM rep and speed up the process. The service manager had no problem doing the work under warranty.


way to go bro , thats how we got our hotel reinbursed etc.etc.

[NEOCON1]

field scout sounds like he was in the same situation the beebster and i were when we busted ours , both stripped 6-12 teeth on ring gears .

has everyone else been dragging their bellies too when busting ??? sounds like strange wear for sewie and beebs this time , any busted teeth or chipped ?????????????

[Sewie]

sounds like strange wear for sewie and beebs this time , any busted teeth or chipped ?????????????

Chipped pinion gear. No major damage to ring gear this time. At least that I could see at a quick glance.

I posted on pic on the last page.

[Field Scout]

Yeah, "abuse" came up several times in my conversations this morning. I wasn't really being accused of abusing the truck, but more they wanted to verify I wasn't. :rolleyes:

It was determined I was "using it to its full abilities" and sh*t "was just breaking." :jump:

No warranty for me:mad: had a torn skidplate in front of diff. housing bent= abuse in gm's eyes 4500.00 in total damage getting insurance to cover it:crying:

[HummBebe]

Serious Bummer!:rant:

[Sewie]

No warranty for me:mad: had a torn skidplate in front of diff. housing bent= abuse in gm's eyes 4500.00 in total damage getting insurance to cover it:crying:

How the hell did you tear the skidplate? Any pics of the damage? I've beat the hell out of mine and its still in one piece. :confused:

Sucks about the warranty too. :mad: Have you tried calling Hummer?

[Field Scout]

How the hell did you tear the skidplate? Any pics of the damage? I've beat the hell out of mine and its still in one piece. :confused:

Sucks about the warranty too. :mad: Have you tried calling Hummer?

not sure, haven't seen it truck is 3 hours away service guy says its torn.
he said the diff housing was bent so I tell him I thought there was a skid plate to protect that he says there is but mine is torn and pushed in. when I pick up my truck i will ask to see it

[HummBebe]

not sure, haven't seen it truck is 3 hours away service guy says its torn.
he said the diff housing was bent so I tell him I thought there was a skid plate to protect that he says there is but mine is torn and pushed in. when I pick up my truck i will ask to see it

Insist on some photos....have them e mailed to you.

[NEOCON1]

No warranty for me:mad: had a torn skidplate in front of diff. housing bent= abuse in gm's eyes 4500.00 in total damage getting insurance to cover it:crying:

that sucks sounds like BS , tell them you were wheelin with a hummer group , and try going higher up the food chain at hummer . Someone else just had this BS happen too . i think it was HI , she contacted someone and the abuse thing was dropped . Some dealers are really handling this front diff issue horribly, thankfully south jordan Utah dealer was great when replacing mine . Good Luck and i think they should step up and cover this .

[Sewie]

Finally got the truck back this afternoon. Just in time to pack it up and head to the Rubicon. :D

Still really miffed that it took two weeks :mad: :mad: but for the next three days I'm not gonna worry about it.

[NEOCON1]

Finally got the truck back this afternoon. Just in time to pack it up and head to the Rubicon. :D

Still really miffed that it took two weeks :mad: :mad: but for the next three days I'm not gonna worry about it.


glad you got her home
thats about how long it would of been for us had they not canabalized a truck in salt lake for us

[f5fstop]

Chipped pinion gear. No major damage to ring gear this time. At least that I could see at a quick glance.

I posted on pic on the last page.

I wonder if this is due to the hardening of the gears?

[timgco]

not sure, haven't seen it truck is 3 hours away service guy says its torn.
he said the diff housing was bent so I tell him I thought there was a skid plate to protect that he says there is but mine is torn and pushed in. when I pick up my truck i will ask to see it

That is complete BS. Are you going through a service writer or service manager? BEnding the skid plate is not going to cuase the diff to blow.

The bolts that hold that skid on would break before tearing that skidplate imo. We have made the holes in the back of the skid longer and sheared off a bolt or two but never had the skid plate tourn.

We have also never been refused warranty from wheeling the truck. The underside has been bounced off of and dragged all over the trails. We have skidplate #2 on there with a third set of bolts (the ones in that hold the rear of the skid hang down).

I'd get over to the dealer and start taking pics in front of them while it's up on a lift and let them know you'll be sending these into GM.

I could see them refusing warranty if you took out body panels and front bumper, fender and stuff like that, but this is a know issue with a few of these.

Good luck man.

[f5fstop]

That is complete BS. Are you going through a service writer or service manager? BEnding the skid plate is not going to cuase the diff to blow.

The bolts that hold that skid on would break before tearing that skidplate imo. We have made the holes in the back of the skid longer and sheared off a bolt or two but never had the skid plate tourn.

We have also never been refused warranty from wheeling the truck. The underside has been bounced off of and dragged all over the trails. We have skidplate #2 on there with a third set of bolts (the ones in that hold the rear of the skid hang down).

I'd get over to the dealer and start taking pics in front of them while it's up on a lift and let them know you'll be sending these into GM.

I could see them refusing warranty if you took out body panels and front bumper, fender and stuff like that, but this is a know issue with a few of these.

Good luck man.


I agree, and I would love to see a "bent" cast aluminum housing. If there was a rock shoved through the diff case, then I could see it called abuse, but the skid plates are added to protect an items from rocks, tree stumps, etc. Even without a skid plate, it should have no bearing on a diff that has failed due to stress caused by off-roading, on a vehicle that is advertised as being an off-road vehicle.
I would get on the phone with Hummer and tell them to visit their own website and dispute that they advertise this is an off-road vehicle. Also, tell them they cannot dispute the fact the front diff is known to fail.