07 H3 Shakes on highway at 65+ mph, normal?

[amyandmark3]

Hi, Hummer newbie here, sorry in advance for what is probably a dumb question.

We just bought a 2007 H3 with 57k miles. Very pleased with it except we notice that it shimmies/shakes a little once we get it above 65 mph or so. The tires are Good Year Wranglers and look to have about 1/2 of their life left. Is this a common characteristic of the H3's drive at higher speeds? Or should I complain to the dealer that we want this looked at / fixed? We just picked it up today and have no recent experience with 4 wheel drives, so not sure what to think. Thanks for any help and/or opinions.

Mark

http://markowens.zenfolio.com/img/v21/p235414137-3.jpg

[Hummer3]

I would have them check the alignment, front tire balance....and the front tires. I think there were some bad wrangler tires.....check the old threads on the tire problem.

[amyandmark3]

Thanks Hummer3. I am also in Indy, bought this from Carmax on the north side, hoping they will fix it for free.... if not, we have 'til Thursday to back out of the purchase. Not sure we'd back out just for this issue, but it would be nice if they take care of us. :)

Mark

[hummeraddict]

I've got the same thing. I'm gonna have my dealer check it out next week. I noticed it quite a bit going 70 on the HW two days ago.

Nice Tactical BTW.

Also, I don't know if its just the angle of the pic, but your tbars appears to have been cranked. Maybe the PO did this and did not get an alignment afterwards. Pic might be deceiving me though.

[Hummer3]

I have heard carmax is a good place for customer satisfaction.....

have them drive it and feel the problem......then ask them if they should be selling something with that problem.....

[amyandmark3]

Thanks again for the comments fellas. I will give my Carmax salesman a call tomorrow to see what he can do for me. addict, not sure about the tbars, but here's a couple more views:

http://markowens.zenfolio.com/img/v23/p229073396-3.jpg

http://markowens.zenfolio.com/img/v23/p366498251-3.jpg

http://markowens.zenfolio.com/img/v17/p47480021-3.jpg

[Hummer3]

Looks like stock height.....

You also might check the tire pressure....they look over inflated....

[HUMTECH]

Maybe a dumb question, what is the local speed limits, if they dont have a highway close by to roadtest at 65mph legally they wont therefore wont feel the vibration. I know I can possibly lose my job if a customer complains of an issue above any legal speed limits and i go try to verify it on a roadtest. So onto the problem, is the shake in the steering wheel? Feel it in the seat of your pants? Braking?

[amyandmark3]

Humtech, there is a highway (I-69) within a few miles of the Carmax where the speed limit is 65 mph. The shake is in the seat. It is pretty non-existent up until 60 mph, is at it's worst between 65-70 mph, and isn't quite as bad at 75 mph. We don't drive over 75 mph, and generally stay in the 65-70 mph range. We do have a highway by our house (I-74) where the speed limit is 70 mph, so these speeds are pretty common for us, have never had any police issues for going 70-75 mph. BTW, no shake during braking.

[HUMTECH]

Sounds like a seperated rear tire. Hard to say without driving it

[amyandmark3]

Quick update: Talked with my sales rep. today and he says they will take care of it. I have to drop the H3 off this afternoon and HOPEFULLY it will be fixed by tomorrow. Thanks again to everyone for your comments, info, and warm welcome.

Mark

[amyandmark3]

Weds. Update: H3 was sent from Carmax to Penske dealer for 'road balance' which could not be done at Carmax. Penske couldn't get to it until today, then they tell Carmax that it probably needs new tires. I'm assuming it must have still been shaking when driving at speed, didn't get that much detail in the voice mail. If Carmax replaces the tires and it still shakes only at 60+ mph, any guesses?

Mark

[HUMTECH]

could be a tight u-joint

[Hummer3]

If the previous owner did not rotate the tires...the front tires are probably trashed......

[amyandmark3]

Thursday update: Carmax service called this morning and said a couple of the managers went for a test drive in my H3 earlier today. They felt the 'shake' and approved to have 4 new tires put on at their expense. Not sure I'll get it tomorrow, so this may go into next week.... but, I guess it will be worth it to have the problem fixed (hopefully) and to get 4 new tires for the inconvenience.

Mark

[Hummer3]

Great......thats a good dealer......

Be sure to rotate your new tires

[amyandmark3]

4 new Precision Trac II tires installed/balanced and all is well. I know they're pretty low priced tires, but they ride smooth on the pavement and were no cost to me. If they last 2 years, I'll be happy and can move on to nicer tires at that time if necessary. Carmax really took care of us.... not sure they had a choice (if they wanted the sale), but they did and were friendly the whole time. Thanks for all the input everyone.

Mark

[HUMTECH]

Thats great customer service, glad your issue is fixed and kudos to them

[hummeraddict]

yup, those pics show stock height. funny how some pics are deceiving. glad they took care of you. maybe i need new kicks too.

[wordstew]

have the rear joint checked mine did exactly the same thing it was the joint