Rearend replacement

[KenP]

Locally, our dealer has two trucks needing new rearends. Hall was originally going to repair them, but GM said to replace the WHOLE thing! It seems this may not be an isolated problem.

Anyone else with this problem?

[KenP]

Locally, our dealer has two trucks needing new rearends. Hall was originally going to repair them, but GM said to replace the WHOLE thing! It seems this may not be an isolated problem.

Anyone else with this problem?

[f5fstop]

Common practice with GM when the launch a new rear end or any large component such as trans, engine, transfer case. Replacement for up to the first six months, then rebuild from then on. That way they can analyze the problem prior to a technician taking it apart.
This includes things such as a minor case leak, or a solenoid in many instances. GM engineering along with the supplier will study the component prior to disassembling, and that way they can learn, and have the components modified to prevent the failure.
We have done it on all new engines and transmissions including the Ecco tech 4-cylinders, the 5-cylinder in this vehicle when first launced on other vehicles, etc.
If the ID numbers are close, this could be an isolate instance for a particular run of rear ends, and these type of problems are almost always due to a supplier or a third tier supplier (supplier to a supplier) having a quality spill.

[Screeper]

My fathers H3 needed a new rear end after 600 miles. Heard a whine in the back and metal fell out when the cover came off. They are replacing the whole unit but I dont know if they completed the work yet. It was going on two weeks in the shop.

[H3Lady]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by KenP:
Locally, our dealer has two trucks needing new rearends. Hall was originally going to repair them, but GM said to replace the WHOLE thing! It seems this may not be an isolated problem.

Anyone else with this problem? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

WHat were you symptoms. My son started to her a clang the other day and did not know what it was

How can they tell if it needs to be replaced.

[H3Lady]

PS

Did you show leaks too? and do you have the lock rearend as in the adventure package. I don't have that package...

[KenP]

I don't have an H3.

According to the dealer, the customers had the same symptoms as screeper did.

[hyperion78]

i was a little disappointed when I came in here..... wasn't what I was expecting :-P

[skeeter]

YES, I have been without my H3 now for two and a half weeks now. It will be three weeks next monday. As stated they where going to repair the rearend, and then wanted to replace it. First off they said they were going to get one out of shevport plant, then they said they were getting one from the manufacture directly up in michigan. I guess one is in transit, and is to be in on friday. I will belive it when I see it. I sure do miss it. Sewell put me in a rental car, a Pacifica, it's damm sure not a Hummer. I have a four day trip hunting trip planed for the end of next week. An out of state trip that is. I better have my H3 back or I will be pissed. I have been telling all my hunting buddys about my new H3. Now, I am having this trerrible nightmare every night. It goes like this: I drive in to my hunt camp in this light blue Pacifica, and all my hunting buddys cant stop laughing there asses off at me. If it is not ready by next week they better give me a Hummer loaner. Oh yes, the symptoms are a howling noise most noticeable from 0 to 45 mph. I did'nt have any clanking noise. When I took it in on the 8th, I did not think having it by the 31st whould be a proublem.

[KenP]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by hyperion78:
i was a little disappointed when I came in here..... wasn't what I was expecting :-P </div></BLOCKQUOTE>HA! When I first read that I was about to flame you! Then I remembered the topic title. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

skeeter, be thankful the entire rear is being taken care of.

[hyperion78]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by KenP:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by hyperion78:
i was a little disappointed when I came in here..... wasn't what I was expecting :-P </div></BLOCKQUOTE>HA! When I first read that I was about to flame you! Then I remembered the topic title. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

skeeter, be thankful the entire rear is being taken care of. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

ha ya that's what I thought! http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif

[Vegas-H3]

It looks like I am about to join this club as well. Heard a whining noise in my new Black Lux H3 and took it to the dealer. Rear end replacement.......no idea on turn around time yet!!

[Vegas-H3]

FYI... I also was at a little more than 500 miles when this happened. With the Monsoon system on, it's harder to hear the noise, so keep a look out for it. (Hopefully, it won't happen to your ride)!

[H3OH]

How about the front end?

While washing my H3 last night, I noticed that the front-right wheel well seemed a bit loose. I saw the staples that everyone talks about (yuck), but the big part was the flex in the well while washing it. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

[Webb70]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by H3OH:
How about the front end?

While washing my H3 last night, I noticed that the front-right wheel well seemed a bit loose. I saw the staples that everyone talks about (yuck), but the big part was the flex in the well while washing it. Any suggestions?

Thanks! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>


Mine had the same thing on the passenger side. I took it in and the 'push screw' seemed to small so they put in a bigger one and it is perfect now.

[Green H3]

Our H3 has less than 1000 miles and it is whining so loud the radio won't drown it. Off to the shop it goes. Anything else we should have the shop look at?

[richk]

Mine needs a new rear end. Dealer finally figured it out yesterday after almost a month of me complaining about a knocking noise. They showed me a bulletin dated yesterday from Hummer that says rear-end replacements are now on hold until they can figure out why so many are failing. The dealer is telling me I will have to wait until GM figures out a solution.

In case any of you read my others threads regarding a knocking noise that is only heard when the truck warms up. Or you may have read my complaints about excessive vibrations coming thru the gas pedal. When the dealer has diagnosed the rear-end as the culprit. Now am just playing the waiting game until Hummer comes out with a solution. I plan on bugging them about every 2 weeks until its repaired. In the meantime I am driving around with the issue.

[H3Lady]

the law states that if a replacement part on vehicle is unavailable from a manufacture (DOES NOT MEAN BACKORDER DOES NOT COUNT, they must supply you a vehicle unto the part is available....

[richk]

I am continuing to drive my H3. They didn't say this would be problem.

[f5fstop]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by H3Lady:
the law states that if a replacement part on vehicle is unavailable from a manufacture (DOES NOT MEAN BACKORDER DOES NOT COUNT, they must supply you a vehicle unto the part is available.... </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

What Law? Please state a MI statute that states a car dealer must supply a free car when your car is in for repair. I believe it is part of the Hummer Warranty that a car will be provided, but I have never heard of a law like that in MI, or any other state I have lived in over the past 40 years.

[H3Lady]

I just ask my brother who is a litagation attorney and he said it's part of the Lemon law...

I am not an attorney...so I don't know the details. I just asked him for the hell of it..

[canucksnaphook]

Ugggh this is so tiring after a while....did I say that out loud??

C.

[H3OH]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content"> In case any of you read my others threads regarding a knocking noise that is only heard when the truck warms up. Or you may have read my complaints about excessive vibrations coming thru the gas pedal. When the dealer has diagnosed the rear-end as the culprit. Now am just playing the waiting game until Hummer comes out with a solution. I plan on bugging them about every 2 weeks until its repaired. In the meantime I am driving around with the issue. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Very interesting. I have had the startup thing happen a couple of times, but not the pedal. I have 850 or so miles on it right now. I'll keep my eye on it. Thanks for the update.

[f5fstop]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by H3Lady:
I just ask my brother who is a litagation attorney and he said it's part of the Lemon law...

I am not an attorney...so I don't know the details. I just asked him for the hell of it.. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I won't argue with an attorney (did it in my past job too much) http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif; however, this is all I found in the MI statutes in regard to a rental (or loaner) vehicle:
"MCL 257.1403. Replacement of motor vehicle or refund; allowance for use; reimbursement for towing costs and costs for rental vehicle; consent to replacement of security interest; presumption; performing repairs after expiration of warranty; extension of time for repair services.

Sec. 3. Para 1
...Whenever a vehicle is replaced or refunded under the provisions of this section, in those instances in which towing services and rental vehicles were not made available without cost to the consumer, the manufacturer shall also reimburse the consumer for those towing costs and reasonable costs for a comparable rental vehicle that were incurred as a direct result of the defect or condition."

Maybe I'll check with my old workmates in GM legal later today, if I have time.

[Vegas-H3]

Well, I after first being told they should have the rear-end replaced "in a few days", I pressed the issue and just confirmed that the rear-end is on "back order". No date on when I can expect my H3 back. They said it could be 2 days or 2 months. Now what????

[H3Lady]

I found out today what the cause was - workers on the line did not wash out the sand cast rear cases and sand is in the case eating at the bearings. It take milage to make the noise. Over 3K to be exact...Mine is effected along with a lot of early production models. I will have to replace ours as well.

[montanah3]

I found out today what the cause was - workers on the line did not wash out the sand cast rear cases and sand is in the case eating at the bearings. It take milage to make the noise. Over 3K to be exact...Mine is effected along with a lot of early production models. I will have to replace ours as well.[/QUOTE]

Do you have VIN numbers or production times on those that may be affected?

[f5fstop]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by H3Lady:
I found out today what the cause was - workers on the line did not wash out the sand cast rear cases and sand is in the case eating at the bearings. It take milage to make the noise. Over 3K to be exact...Mine is effected along with a lot of early production models. I will have to replace ours as well. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Unless there are two faults, Hummertech posted the correct cause yesterday in another thread.

Hummertech posted this information:
"The problem with the rear ends is simple and it could be in any vehicle with any optiions. The problem is this, the supplier that supplies the axles for GM had a batch of them go out that did not have the lapping compound cleaned off the gears. This compound is gritty, and after a thousand miles will chew up the bearings some.
It is all covered under warranty, no easy way to tell if yours is affected or not without just driving it and seeing if a noise develops.
Sorry but some of you will have the trouble of having to get this fixed. Many will not. At least it's not a design flaw or something more serious. Just an idiot at the GM supplier."

This was confirmed as the problem before I even read the thread from Hummertech. The problem can come a lot earlier than 3K miles. Some have failed at 1K.

[richk]

Mine began making occasional weird noises after only 500 miles. Now I am just over 2k and it keeps getting worse (cluncking/vibration/etc). If the deterioration keeps it current pace it may not be driveable in about 3-4 weeks.

[H3Lady]

GM will not give this out at this time. They are handling this on a one to one basis.

To get it approved for a replacement, the service manager must file a report and have certain criteria at hand....

[H3Lady]

This is what was told to me by an official at GM's tech department and the service manager...

Well what ever it is, it's eating the darn thing up...

[H3Lady]

They told me that 3k miles is the break point of the noise, base on complaint and estimated wear time...

If some reported it at 500 miles, then they had more grit and it eat it faster...

makes sense.

[f5fstop]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by richk:
Mine began making occasional weird noises after only 500 miles. Now I am just over 2k and it keeps getting worse (cluncking/vibration/etc). If the deterioration keeps it current pace it may not be driveable in about 3-4 weeks. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Contrary to what you have just been told, if your rear end is making a noise, and it can be verified by the technician, the Service Manager does not have to file a report to order the part. Can't say how long it would take to get the part, since that would be GM Service Parts and I do not work for them. What I just read by another poster would make me think that they will not cover this under warranty unless they get approval, and this is not correct.
All warranty repairs are handled under a one-on-one basis, and they will not order a part unless they can verify a problem. They will also not take the rear cover off to see if you have the problem....UNLESS it is launched as a Service Campaign (aka Recall). At which point, you would be notified by mail, and the dealer would perform an inspection and/or replace the rear end. But the numbers are so small there is no need for a campaign.

However, when a part fails under warranty, no extra paper work is required to order the part. The extra paper work and report might be requested by Technical Assistance in Grand Blanc, Service Engineering in Warren, MI or by the supplier, but if a part fails under warranty, it is covered and will "eventually" be replaced.

Warranty data is showing a greater number coming in sooner than 3K. The earlier the failure, the greater the amount of grit, is correct.

[richk]

The service tech wrote me an email today saying his boss called Hummer and "we are waiting for G.M. to release differentials. Till then we wait". Doesn't sound like the dealer is willing to rattle any cages at corporate to get me fixed quickly. I wouldn't mind doing some calling myself. Maybe I can get some action going. Anyone have any suggested phone numbers and/or contacts for me to call?

[f5fstop]

Try the customer assistance center number, that might help. However, if the supplier is having difficulties producing enough axles, there is not much GM can do. These suppliers produce axle for other companies and can only produce X number per day.
I feel for you, and would be peed off too if it was me.
If out of service for more than thirty business days in CO, you can enact the lemon law.

[richk]

Update: I got my selling dealer involved (White's Mountain Hummer in Casper, WY) and they were able to contact the right people. I got a call this morning from the GM regional manager for the Wyoming area and he said that a new rear axle is being shipped from Detroit to the dealer here in Denver and should arrive in 5-7 business days. The regional manager was very professional and said he was going to make sure that my H3 got fixed asap. He even gave me his cell phone number in case I needed any more help. I would like to publicly thank my salesman, David Swanson (in Casper, WY) for taking on my problem and running with it. He did an awesome job and got results.

So now I am waiting for the axle to arrive so that I can get my H3 fixed. "The squeaky wheel gets the grease" approach worked for me!