Steering/Suspension Issues - Newbie

rayenet · #1 07-15-2005, 03:23 AM

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!

rayenet · #2 07-15-2005, 03:23 AM

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!

FormerJeeper · #3 07-15-2005, 04:05 AM

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

wannabeH3 · #4 07-15-2005, 04:13 AM

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 · #5 07-15-2005, 10:06 AM

<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.

GrimReaper · #6 07-15-2005, 10:36 AM

Well it is an offroad truck... :-)

bparker · #7 07-15-2005, 10:51 AM

<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..

PARAGON · #8 07-15-2005, 11:04 AM

Time for some upgraded shocks like the Edelbrocks or the Ranchos.

First Hummer · #9 07-15-2005, 11:12 AM

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

Shuffle is the rite word,good to hear its not me.

Desert Dan · #10 07-15-2005, 12:34 PM

Check your air pressure in you tires and have the dealer check the alignment

No need for the max tire pressure, sometimes the tires are overinflated for the shipping process.

angelus · #11 07-15-2005, 02:58 PM

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 · #12 07-15-2005, 03:11 PM

<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!

bparker · #13 07-15-2005, 03:16 PM

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).

PARAGON · #14 07-15-2005, 03:33 PM

Simply upgrade the shocks and it will stop.

First Hummer · #15 07-15-2005, 04:44 PM

<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.

PARAGON · #16 07-15-2005, 10:52 PM

<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.

Waiting on my Black H3 · #17 07-15-2005, 11:02 PM

Has anyone had this happen with the standard suspension??

timgco · #18 07-16-2005, 02:33 AM

I agree with Paragon. But also I think the stock tires are aired up way too much from the factory. We aired our down a little and this helped. Ranchos are next though.

First Hummer · #19 07-16-2005, 07:55 AM

<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 · #20 07-16-2005, 11:08 AM

I like the 5000. But I have put the RSXs on my F250 4x4. I put the 9000 on the H2 because I wanted to "dial in" the ride. But the RSX have the similar technology, just not adjustable. I have the 5000 as a steering dampener on my H2 but other than that, I don't know. You can get the RSXs for less than $50ea, so they are not terrible.

One of you guys needs to take the chance and get the shocks for the rest, that's how we learned with the H2s. I really think you will be "shocked", sorry for the pun, about the difference better designed shocks will have. Just remember to drive over some spot that causes your truck to get unsettled right before you switch 'em out and then go drive right back over after so you can see how big of a difference it makes and tell the masses so they'll know if it's worth it also.

You can get the RSXs for $47.25ea here http://my4by.com/product_info.php?cPath=22&products_id=38 or you a few dollars more here http://hotrodoffroad.com/detail.aspx?ID=2154

FWIW I ordered my shocks from the first place and had no problems and they got here within a couple of days. Several other H2 guys ordered theirs from the second place with no problems and the shocks showed up the next day for some, so these should be decent places to order from but also had the cheapest shocks.

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