Ditto what longhorn said.
One need only look at all the stories and photos on this site to confirm that the H2 is extremely capable and durable.

Ditto what longhorn said.
One need only look at all the stories and photos on this site to confirm that the H2 is extremely capable and durable.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by LonghornRockcrawler:
Maybe you got a lemon? Maybe the lift is to blame? Maybe you have a heavy right foot? Perhaps you are the worst H2 pilot ever ? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>Exactly. If driven correctly, these things just don't magically break.

You should know before hand how high the risk is of something breaking.

When I broke my front differential, before I even attempted to bump the ledge, I knew there was a chance something was going to break if the front end bounced. And it did.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by LonghornRockcrawler:
Maybe you got a lemon? Maybe the lift is to blame? Maybe you have a heavy right foot? Perhaps you are the worst H2 pilot ever ? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>Exactly. If driven correctly, these things just don't magically break.

You should know before hand how high the risk is of something breaking.

When I broke my front differential, before I even attempted to bump the ledge, I knew there was a chance something was going to break if the front end bounced. And it did.

check to see if your area has a lemon law on the books, here in NV our lemon law is quite extensive.

check to see if your area has a lemon law on the books, here in NV our lemon law is quite extensive.

I hear what you guys are saying. After the first breakage we realized we could not drive the H2 like all the other rigs we have had in the past. "Slow" is the key word here for the H2 and the front end it has. So, all outings since then have been slow going, with the other H2's in the group. This time out the wife was driving and being spotted by the dealer's reps at the time, going as slow as all the other rigs before her. A couple of bounces later, pow, bent tie rod. The dealer even said we were going slow. Could it be the lift? Maybe, but a 4" lift isn't extreme and if it is for the H2 then the H2's front end is at the edge of it's window for being able to handle off road playing. It was even suggested that the MTR tires, because of the more agressive tread, was to blame! We aren't crazy, extreme four wheelers (we save that for our Mud Drags). I have been reading on here for a couple of years now how a lot of stock rigs have also been bending tie rods and blowing out their front ends. Is ours a lemon? I don't think so, a bent tie rod doesn't make it a lemon. Besides, because we have a lift we would never win that battle. Someone suggested we carry spare tie rods with us, because H2's bend them so much you can expect it to happen to you at some point. Seems like a strange thing to have to do for mild 4 wheeling. If I have some tougher tie rods built (we have an NHRA chassis builder here who built our racing rigs roll cage) then Hummer will certainly write off any coverage for swaping out their parts.
Speaking of that sort of thing, I got a call back from Hummer last night and they said: "It is Hummer's policy to NOT warrentee ANY damage from off road driving, even if it is an H2 sanctioned event. Any damage is concidered road hazard". Hmmm. I wish there had been a sign on the H2 warning buyers that if the H2 is ever taken off road they will not stand behind their product.
The easy answer here is that it's all my fault because of the 4" lift and 37" tires. The H2 has no problems. It's just me.

I hear what you guys are saying. After the first breakage we realized we could not drive the H2 like all the other rigs we have had in the past. "Slow" is the key word here for the H2 and the front end it has. So, all outings since then have been slow going, with the other H2's in the group. This time out the wife was driving and being spotted by the dealer's reps at the time, going as slow as all the other rigs before her. A couple of bounces later, pow, bent tie rod. The dealer even said we were going slow. Could it be the lift? Maybe, but a 4" lift isn't extreme and if it is for the H2 then the H2's front end is at the edge of it's window for being able to handle off road playing. It was even suggested that the MTR tires, because of the more agressive tread, was to blame! We aren't crazy, extreme four wheelers (we save that for our Mud Drags). I have been reading on here for a couple of years now how a lot of stock rigs have also been bending tie rods and blowing out their front ends. Is ours a lemon? I don't think so, a bent tie rod doesn't make it a lemon. Besides, because we have a lift we would never win that battle. Someone suggested we carry spare tie rods with us, because H2's bend them so much you can expect it to happen to you at some point. Seems like a strange thing to have to do for mild 4 wheeling. If I have some tougher tie rods built (we have an NHRA chassis builder here who built our racing rigs roll cage) then Hummer will certainly write off any coverage for swaping out their parts.
Speaking of that sort of thing, I got a call back from Hummer last night and they said: "It is Hummer's policy to NOT warrentee ANY damage from off road driving, even if it is an H2 sanctioned event. Any damage is concidered road hazard". Hmmm. I wish there had been a sign on the H2 warning buyers that if the H2 is ever taken off road they will not stand behind their product.
The easy answer here is that it's all my fault because of the 4" lift and 37" tires. The H2 has no problems. It's just me.

Sounds like the H2 is not for you. No big deal, just sell it and get something that IS for you.

Sounds like the H2 is not for you. No big deal, just sell it and get something that IS for you.

If your front end is bouncing, you are doing something wrong.

Try airing down more and using slow steady pressure on the gas pedal, and if you feel it getting bouncing, just back off.

If your front end is bouncing, you are doing something wrong.

Try airing down more and using slow steady pressure on the gas pedal, and if you feel it getting bouncing, just back off.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by jnsfox:
I've seen H2's with 37's bounce with no problem <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>It might have just been no apparent problem. I didn't realize I had bent my tie rods till weeks later, because the bend was so slight. However the Pitman arm issues are normally pretty apparent rather quickly.

Anytime your front end bounces your wheels pick up speed, and upon touch down all of that torque is transfered somewhere. Whether it be through your tie rods, pitman arms, front diff... Something always has to give.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by jnsfox:
I've seen H2's with 37's bounce with no problem <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>It might have just been no apparent problem. I didn't realize I had bent my tie rods till weeks later, because the bend was so slight. However the Pitman arm issues are normally pretty apparent rather quickly.

Anytime your front end bounces your wheels pick up speed, and upon touch down all of that torque is transfered somewhere. Whether it be through your tie rods, pitman arms, front diff... Something always has to give.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> It is Hummer's policy to NOT warrentee ANY damage from off road driving, even if it is an H2 sanctioned event. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
This is not entirely true... at all National Hummer Club events there is a parts trailer dedicated to the H2s. Mechanics are on hand to work on repairing damage incurred while on the trails! The cover us at the Hummer Club events the same way they've always covered the H1s

Hummer Club Events Link

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> It is Hummer's policy to NOT warrentee ANY damage from off road driving, even if it is an H2 sanctioned event. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
This is not entirely true... at all National Hummer Club events there is a parts trailer dedicated to the H2s. Mechanics are on hand to work on repairing damage incurred while on the trails! The cover us at the Hummer Club events the same way they've always covered the H1s

Hummer Club Events Link

You still have to pay for the parts though.

You still have to pay for the parts though.

at hummer events if you do as the spotter
tells you and still break it will be covered.
but go off the deep end you'll pay.
at least at our dealership.

at hummer events if you do as the spotter
tells you and still break it will be covered.
but go off the deep end you'll pay.
at least at our dealership.

With the Rancho lift the reason for wheels with different off set is to clear the repositioned spot where the tie rod connects at. It is moved from the bottom to the top to keep the angle of the tie rod the same as stock. This gets it closer to the edge of the wheel and would hit the stock wheel. No spacers are used. The stock wheel is 8.5" wide. Mine are 9" with a little more offset to clear the tie rod ends. I don't think it's the lift, but the larger tires and a little more offset could push the front end over the edge more easily than stock. We were told by the dealer spotters that we were driving correctly, nothing we did in our driving caused it (as soon as bounce started we stopped). One added thing...We have the winch mounted when this happens...extra front end weight?

As I watch the videos on here of the rigs that have bent their tie rods, it's is apparent that the bounce, spin and sudden traction is what's causing the tie rods to bend. Just happens way to easily in my mind.

With the Rancho lift the reason for wheels with different off set is to clear the repositioned spot where the tie rod connects at. It is moved from the bottom to the top to keep the angle of the tie rod the same as stock. This gets it closer to the edge of the wheel and would hit the stock wheel. No spacers are used. The stock wheel is 8.5" wide. Mine are 9" with a little more offset to clear the tie rod ends. I don't think it's the lift, but the larger tires and a little more offset could push the front end over the edge more easily than stock. We were told by the dealer spotters that we were driving correctly, nothing we did in our driving caused it (as soon as bounce started we stopped). One added thing...We have the winch mounted when this happens...extra front end weight?

As I watch the videos on here of the rigs that have bent their tie rods, it's is apparent that the bounce, spin and sudden traction is what's causing the tie rods to bend. Just happens way to easily in my mind.

I wouldn't put much stock in commentary from a spotter provided at a dealer event. A) they may know next to nothing, b) they may not know much about driving the H2 off road, or c) they may be a bit braindead from dealing with getting 20 vehicles or so(some with inexperienced drivers) through a trail. I went to a few of these dealer outings early on and have since learned that they really don't teach you good technique.

I wouldn't put much stock in commentary from a spotter provided at a dealer event. A) they may know next to nothing, b) they may not know much about driving the H2 off road, or c) they may be a bit braindead from dealing with getting 20 vehicles or so(some with inexperienced drivers) through a trail. I went to a few of these dealer outings early on and have since learned that they really don't teach you good technique.

BKLYNH2- Perhaps, however our spotter was the "Hummer Product Manager. With over 30 years of automobile experience and 9+ plus years with Edmark Superstore, Dick is one of the original 63 National Hummer Product Managers". Besides him there were over a dozen other H2's with drivers and passengers as well as perhaps 6 to 8 other Hummer dealers plus the service manager watching. The hill was a straight shot with loose dirt towards the top. No turns.

Just as a point of reference, Dick told me that the front end in the H1 has been redesigned around a half dozen times before getting to where they are now. Breaking lots of tie rods in the process. He also mentioned that the reason my 1 ton (with the same tie rods and lift as my H2) hasn't had any problems and the H2 has is perhaps because the H2 has been stretched out another 2" putting even more torque on the parts than the 1 ton. What this is sounding like to me is that the H2 is built to it's limits, not much margin at all like in an ordinary truck.

This comes as a huge disappointment for us. We figured the H2 was as advertised with overdesigned ruggedness. The take away for folks here is to make sure you understand the limits for how you plan on using your rig. We overestimated the H2 for our needs. Also, thanks to all who gave information for aftermarket parts to help the H2's problems. Obviously there is a market out there for beefing up the H2's tie rods and other front end parts. I wonder why???

BKLYNH2- Perhaps, however our spotter was the "Hummer Product Manager. With over 30 years of automobile experience and 9+ plus years with Edmark Superstore, Dick is one of the original 63 National Hummer Product Managers". Besides him there were over a dozen other H2's with drivers and passengers as well as perhaps 6 to 8 other Hummer dealers plus the service manager watching. The hill was a straight shot with loose dirt towards the top. No turns.

Just as a point of reference, Dick told me that the front end in the H1 has been redesigned around a half dozen times before getting to where they are now. Breaking lots of tie rods in the process. He also mentioned that the reason my 1 ton (with the same tie rods and lift as my H2) hasn't had any problems and the H2 has is perhaps because the H2 has been stretched out another 2" putting even more torque on the parts than the 1 ton. What this is sounding like to me is that the H2 is built to it's limits, not much margin at all like in an ordinary truck.

This comes as a huge disappointment for us. We figured the H2 was as advertised with overdesigned ruggedness. The take away for folks here is to make sure you understand the limits for how you plan on using your rig. We overestimated the H2 for our needs. Also, thanks to all who gave information for aftermarket parts to help the H2's problems. Obviously there is a market out there for beefing up the H2's tie rods and other front end parts. I wonder why???

No way it can be your fault. It's just a GM conspiracy to underbuild the front end so it will cost you more money.

No way it can be your fault. It's just a GM conspiracy to underbuild the front end so it will cost you more money.

Yes, it was my fault. I overestimated the H2.I believe that GM/Hummer will eventually redesign the front end as they have on the H1 through the years. Those of you who own H1's know how much beefier they are now.

It was fun while it lasted. Oh well.

Yes, it was my fault. I overestimated the H2.I believe that GM/Hummer will eventually redesign the front end as they have on the H1 through the years. Those of you who own H1's know how much beefier they are now.

It was fun while it lasted. Oh well.

Yep, H1s have beefier front ends now and at one of our happenings an '04 H1 bent a tie rod on an obstacle, no H2 tie rods were bent.

Are you trying to say that a GM 3500 truck has a shorter wheelbase than the H2? What exactly has been stretched out another 2 inches?

Yep, H1s have beefier front ends now and at one of our happenings an '04 H1 bent a tie rod on an obstacle, no H2 tie rods were bent.

Are you trying to say that a GM 3500 truck has a shorter wheelbase than the H2? What exactly has been stretched out another 2 inches?

The WIDTH of the front end. The H2's are wider than the Chevy trucks. This added width must cause things to move and act differently on them. Different stresses basically on the same parts? I have this curse that makes me try to understand why things happen. I'm just trying to understand what happened. I know what I did and did not do. I think I understand now what happened to my H2 and why.

The WIDTH of the front end. The H2's are wider than the Chevy trucks. This added width must cause things to move and act differently on them. Different stresses basically on the same parts? I have this curse that makes me try to understand why things happen. I'm just trying to understand what happened. I know what I did and did not do. I think I understand now what happened to my H2 and why.

Well I really hate to hear it, but I guess the time has come to unload a few rounds into Ole Yeller. Its been a good run though. You'd better part everything out to recover some of your sunk costs.

I'll start the bidding for all your accessories at one dollar. Do I hear two?

Well I really hate to hear it, but I guess the time has come to unload a few rounds into Ole Yeller. Its been a good run though. You'd better part everything out to recover some of your sunk costs.

I'll start the bidding for all your accessories at one dollar. Do I hear two?

The overall width might be 2" in difference but I doubt there is much width difference hub to hub. The biggest difference between 2500 and 3500 4X4s and the H2 is that the H2 has the TC. Some people are getting their front tires up in the air spinning with alot of velocity and "bounce" back down staying on the throttle. The TC is going to kick torque back and forth. An H2 is made to go slow and creep its way along not blast through an obstacle. This one reason why BTMing with the H2 can be a helpful maneuver.

The overall width might be 2" in difference but I doubt there is much width difference hub to hub. The biggest difference between 2500 and 3500 4X4s and the H2 is that the H2 has the TC. Some people are getting their front tires up in the air spinning with alot of velocity and "bounce" back down staying on the throttle. The TC is going to kick torque back and forth. An H2 is made to go slow and creep its way along not blast through an obstacle. This one reason why BTMing with the H2 can be a helpful maneuver.