ATTN: H3 Brand Quality Manager

[LesC.]

Dear H3 Brand Quality Manager,
Thanks for the cast iron front differential you chose for my H3 alpha.

[subunix]

also I think Youre right that they need to change them for all H3's not just the alpha. I know exactly why they havent..... $90 for every H3 is something they wouldnt even consider looking at. We eliminate rosebuds to save $.05 it doesnt make sense but it doesnt make a business case either... trust me ive been trying to talk them into it and its not happening right now... just my 2 cents

[3Hummer]

may be 90 bucks on each H3, but considering the amount of money the loose repairing them from warrenty who knows if it equals out or surpasses that amount. Anyway i cant wait to see the response. And i totally agree that this is where most Hummer users that use their rigs dsicuss and if this is an issue amongts us offroaders then they should really take a look at that.

[HummBebe]

Originally Posted by 3Hummer

may be 90 bucks on each H3, but considering the amount of money the loose repairing them from warrenty who knows if it equals out or surpasses that amount.

And that's exactly the point. At what point do we as consumers, beyond that, enthusiasts, get considered for the amount and level of inconvenience and DANGER of being stranded far from help, food water, shelter, etc????

Been there, done that X2. Not willing to do it again.

[FutureBeachBum]

has anyone had their original front diff switched out to the cast iron version?

If so, was it done at a dealer?, how much?

[MarineHawk]

Originally Posted by FutureBeachBum

has anyone had their original front diff switched out to the cast iron version?

If so, was it done at a dealer?, how much?

I'd like to know too. I assume it can be done, right? If it's just $90 plus labor, it can't be that bad, right? Not saying it should't be free via GM, but when I paid about $200 parts/labor to get the HD tie rods installed less than a week after I bought my H2, I didn't think too much of it. I also didn't think too much of it when I upgraded tires a few weeks later.

Originally Posted by Alan06SUT

I agree they should put in the cast iron case.

And please don't take this the wrong way.... I heart beebee and all you've done for the trails and hummers, but as for the part eluding that the differential put you in danger far from help, I just cant see that as a valid point to your argument.

We all make decisions to go offroading and we put ourselves in the above mentioned dangers. I think that you should leave that point out of your argument to hummer and just stick with the reliability and excessive falure rates so they can't try to discredit you on that one point and therefore not pay attention to your very valid argument. Wheeling is risky and obviously you guys were prepared and had a back up plan to get out of there, etc. I/ we here know you are more than responsible and prepared wheeler.

I am just bringing this up an an editing thing so they can't put any bullets into your letter.

It's not too far from claiming that the stock H2 is "dangerous" because the stock tires aren't as puncture-resistant or as good in the mud as some more-expensive tires (a $1,500+ upgrade); and GM does not provide a winch or winching gear stock for remote off-roading.
Thus, H2 owners might get stuck out in the boonies and become severely mauled by a bear. For that matter, no H3 (at least 2007) comes standard with the UCP and rocker panels.

I totally agree that these vehicles should come with a better front diff stock, but I also agree with Alan that the danger or being stranded argument (though not necessarily incorrect) won't likely get GM to act. It's far more of a safety stretch to them than defective brakes, airbag, etc. The basic point is: Will the H3 reliably do what GM claims it will do with the stock diff? If not, it's defective and should be fixed--same as with a defective radio or cd player.

[CO Hummer]

I saw someone post a good point about H3s being advertised, by GM, to tackle the Moab trails. Yet the tough Moab trails eat H3s differentials like nothing.

GM can't be responsible for everything. But they outta backup their Moab claims with vehicles that actually can do Golden Spike routinely without total failure.

[Alan06SUT]

Originally Posted by HummBebe

And that's exactly the point. At what point do we as consumers, beyond that, enthusiasts, get considered for the amount and level of inconvenience and DANGER of being stranded far from help, food water, shelter, etc????
Been there, done that X2. Not willing to do it again.

I agree they should put in the cast iron case.

And please don't take this the wrong way.... I heart beebee and all you've done for the trails and hummers, but as for the part eluding that the differential put you in danger far from help, I just cant see that as a valid point to your argument.

We all make decisions to go offroading and we put ourselves in the above mentioned dangers. I think that you should leave that point out of your argument to hummer and just stick with the reliability and excessive falure rates so they can't try to discredit you on that one point and therefore not pay attention to your very valid argument. Wheeling is risky and obviously you guys were prepared and had a back up plan to get out of there, etc. I/ we here know you are more than responsible and prepared wheeler.

I am just bringing this up an an editing thing so they can't put any bullets into your letter.

Good luck with the whole warranty thing, don't forget how much you love your hummer and your hummer family in stressful times! I am optomistic that they will take care of it for you, you may have to rattle some cages though. Take care.

[justforfun]

Good letter Beebs...

With regards to tires, mods etc - mine is standard base model running 32" tires and my front diff went on me around 3mths ago - my car was in the dealer for 4 WEEKS as no parts in the Middle East and according to Service Manager - GM U.S.A had none in stock either... WTF?

As a result of the dealer trying to use the original casing - the car has now been in the dealer for 3 weeks, and I don't expect to get it back for another 2-3 weeks while they wait for a complete new diff assembly including the casing.

So... apart from the fact the diff's are a known problem, it's obviously considered okay for a customer to be without a car purchased new from the company for over 2 MONTHS due entirely to the front diff?

Yeah, my dealer screwed up, but if the diff was good in the first place it wouldn't have happened.

I really do hope someone in GM takes notice... otherwise, they'll lose sales for those that are gonna buy a car for use off-road and do a bit of research first!!

Cheers
JFF

[3Hummer]

snap, justforfun, that does not sound fun haha. They havent given you an update on how much longer for the diff? You should ask them to get you the cast iron one that is in the H3 Alpha. And meanwhile while they have your H3 did they at least give you a loaner h3 to drive for the time being?

[deserth3]

For all you folks that have lost a front diff have you read and followed the instructions as outline on page 7-2 and 7-3 of you owners manual?
Next time I'm in the dealership I plan on talking to the service manager with my own concerns about the differential. Though I haven't broken the front yet it sounds like a very real possibility. Jerry Seiner so far has been excellent with my needs and concerns.
The BBB Auto Line also has a web site; http://www.dr.bbb.org/autoline/index.asp

Here is another posibility; http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/