Steering/Suspension Issues - Newbie

[rayenet]

Hi all! I just got my new H3 and absolutely love it, but I've got an issue with the steering or suspension. My H3 came with the off-road package and when I drive on the highway and go over larger bumps and uneven surfaces, the steering wheel jerks abruptly and the vehicle swerves and wobbles. It's worse when it happens while I'm changing lanes or in the middle of a turn. It feels as if I'm going to lose control of the vehicle while going anywhere from 60 to 80 mph. I'm really concerned about how it will handle on twisty snow covered mountain roads, even with the Stabilitrak.

Is anybody else experiencing this and does anyone have an idea why this is happening?

Thanks!

[First Hummer]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by wannabeH3:
i would like the 9000's which size do u get tho? the h3 is too new and they dont list it </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I was just told from the place I ordered from, that they dont have Rancho shocks for H3 yet.I will just have to wait sorry for the tease.

[angelus]

Whenver I go over manhol covers or bumps on a curve she kindof jumps to the side feeling as though she might flip. Probably just me getting use to driving a Hummer.

[rayenet]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Desert Dan:
Rayenet

Check your tire presure yourself and let us know what it is.

I would start with the air pressure around 32 PSI for starters and see how it rides.

Figure the H3 weighs 4700 lbs that is approximately 1200 lbs pound on each tire.

You only need the max pressure on your tires when fully loaded and the tire in near it's weight limit.
No need for 40 - 60 psi in your tires. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I checked and they're about 35 PSI all the way around.

[First Hummer]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by PARAGON:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by First Hummer:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by PARAGON:
Simply upgrade the shocks and it will stop. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

You really think just by changing shocks this will stop. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>That is the number one item that controls the issue. Stock shocks generally are not going to be top of the line items. I have replaced the shocks on every 4x4 I've owned. I replaced the ones on my H2 with Rancho 9000s a little while back and the little choppy bumps disappeared. The response time for the "better" shocks is so much that it is like night and day and a shock replacement is the one thing that is going to take that chatter turn away. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Money is kinda tight,you think the rancho 5,000 would be ok or is it to small.

[PARAGON]

I would think 40lbs would be too much but going down to 32 might sacrifice quite a bit of gas mileage. What does it say on the door that the tires should be set at?

[tonka61]

YA SO GO BANG ON THE MANUFACTURER

[wannabeH3]

i would like the 9000's which size do u get tho? the h3 is too new and they dont list it

[Desert Dan]

I would experiment with lower air pressure say 30-32psi.

You want the tires to take up some of the bumps etc. on the hwy
With the live axle and leaf springs, the rear will bounce and take bumps rougher than the front with independent suspension. And on a turn the rear may bounce sideway a bit over bumps.

Each car is different and the wheel base etc will effect how the car/truck takes the bumps.

Out here in CA on the freeways there are expansion joints, on some of my vehicles the difference form 35 psi to 28psi would make all the difference.


35 psi would be great if you are fully loaded and going on a long high speed trip. This will reduce heat buildup and provide better handling

[rayenet]

Hi all! I just got my new H3 and absolutely love it, but I've got an issue with the steering or suspension. My H3 came with the off-road package and when I drive on the highway and go over larger bumps and uneven surfaces, the steering wheel jerks abruptly and the vehicle swerves and wobbles. It's worse when it happens while I'm changing lanes or in the middle of a turn. It feels as if I'm going to lose control of the vehicle while going anywhere from 60 to 80 mph. I'm really concerned about how it will handle on twisty snow covered mountain roads, even with the Stabilitrak.

Is anybody else experiencing this and does anyone have an idea why this is happening?

Thanks!

[First Hummer]

OK guys I am stepping up to the plate for all of you in H3 land.I have ordered a set of Rancho RSX shocks for my H3.If this in any way helps ,and someone else follows a donation to my H3 fund would be appreciated I think its only fair.J/K.

[timgco]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by PARAGON:
I would think 40lbs would be too much but going down to 32 might sacrifice quite a bit of gas mileage. What does it say on the door that the tires should be set at? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

It said 35psi. But I'm not sure if that is the same between the 32's and 33's. We took ours down to taht and it helped a little, but that damn LOW PREASURE light keeps coming on.

[PARAGON]

Well, I can speak from experience here except for the ARB shocks. I have had Bilsteins and they IMO they will not help with choppy bumps. They do not have the same type valving as the Rancho 9000 or RSX and the Edelbrocks (as well as other expensive shocks) have. The 9000s are adjustable, other than that the Rancho RSX are the next best Rancho shock.

A few H2 owners have put on and taken of the Bilsteins because they are softer than even the stock shocks. To my knowledge the ARBs are designed the same way and do not have the active valving either and that is the key that takes out the chattery bumps.

To suggest that the Rancho shocks are "average at best" is ignorant.

[wannabeH3]

i had mine up to 80 leaving the dealer parking lot... gotta break em in hard... maybe that explains the suspension issues im having

[First Hummer]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by rayenet:
Hi all! I just got my new H3 and absolutely love it, but I've got an issue with the steering or suspension. My H3 came with the off-road package and when I drive on the highway and go over larger bumps and uneven surfaces, the steering wheel jerks abruptly and the vehicle swerves and wobbles. It's worse when it happens while I'm changing lanes or in the middle of a turn. It feels as if I'm going to lose control of the vehicle while going anywhere from 60 to 80 mph. I'm really concerned about how it will handle on twisty snow covered mountain roads, even with the Stabilitrak.

Is anybody else experiencing this and does anyone have an idea why this is happening?

Thanks! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I have had the same thing happen , to me it feels like the rear end wants to slide.Happens on highway speeds when going around a bend in the road and hitting uneven surface.

[bparker]

in my opinion this is simply due to the solid axel in the rear. All trucks I have driven with solid axels have acted like this (to me).

[f5fstop]

Had the same problem with my Vette, replaced the RunFlats with non-runflats, and the problem went away. Sidewalls on the Goodyear runflats are stiff as a 2x4, and caused the front and rear of the vehicle to bounce when going over expansion strips on a curve.
Same problem with my Jeep when I air up the Yokohamas to 35 psi or greater. Problem goes away with air pressure at 30 or lower.
Shocks could be a problem, but the stiffness of the sidewall, due to manufacturing or due to high air pressure can also cause the same symptoms.
Most vehicles are shipped from the plant with high air pressure; dealer is supposed to check and adjust pressure to the pressure noted on the tire pressure label during the pre-delivery inspection procedure (they are paid to do this by GM).

[bparker]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by GrimReaper:
Well it is an offroad truck... :-) </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

/agree

While I like the way mine handles it does shuffle over some bumps but thats due to a stiff suspension with large tires..

[rayenet]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by angelus:
Whenver I go over manhol covers or bumps on a curve she kindof jumps to the side feeling as though she might flip. Probably just me getting use to driving a Hummer. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

That's exactly how it feels! I've been trying to get used to this but it's really bugging me. I know it's an off-road vehicle, but it should also be compliant on the highway. I'm going to have the dealer check this out before I take my 3 month old son for longer road trips.

Thanks for the input guys!

[FormerJeeper]

This sounds like bad camber/caster to me.
We call this "Death Wobble" on lifted jeeps.
It can be caused by all manner of things but an allignment should fix it.

My H3 was finally over 500 miles today so I took her up to 80mph on the freeway.
I hit as many potholes as I could and it ate it up without any problem, so something is up.

Get the dealer to test drive it and sit with them and tell them how to create the problem.

HTH

-C