H3 Owners - Check your CV Boots! (and how to)

I took my H3 in today to get the pass. side CV boot looked at. It was, in fact, torn. It was a very small hole. They even called it a pinhole, but I noticed it a few months ago.

Anyway the point is, the mechanic that changed the boot said he has seen the same problem on a few other H3's, and that they actually keep the CV boot kit in stock because of the frequent repairs. As someone on here said before, it is a kit, which means they replace the inner and outer boot for the half-shaft on the pass. side. It took about 2 1/2 hours for the repair.

The guy who wrote up the order for me said he hasn't seen that problem yet, but the mechanics have, like I said. Apparently a couple of others have also. It IS covered under warranty.

In order to check for leaks (for people aren't technical), there is an easy way to go.

Turn your wheel all the way to the right. Look on the inside of the front right wheel, and you will see a rubber seal that looks kinda like a spring. Here is a picture of it below:

Turn your wheel all the way to the left to check the driver's side as well.

If you see anything that looks like dark mud, grease, or tar in any of the cracks of the boot, you may have a leak.

This seal protects a joint that moves back and fourth and twists and bends when you turn your tire and wheel, or hit a bump. The actual shaft that connects from your transfer case (engine for novices) to your wheel is connected by this CV joint and transfers power from your engine to your wheel. IF this joint becomes dirty and the grease leaks out, it can seize up, and this is BIG trouble. If that happens, you can cause thousands of dollars in damage to other parts of your engine and transmission, all because of a little rubber boot.

I would advice anybody with a H3 to check for this, because apparently it's a known issue, but does not affect enough people to issue a recall. I would hate to see someone's H3 get ruined just because of a $10 rubber part going back. Most people don't realize it until it's too late unfortunately.


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Hey Guy,

Thanks for the report..Good job!

Thanks Guy,

I will look tonight. In the mean time Dennis I showed your avatar to a "man" in our office and he would like to hook up. Let me know if your interested!!!

You are quite welcome. Anything I can do to help someone avert a catastrophe is worth it.

Oh yeah, and my wife wants to hook up with your avatar too. Thanks alot!!!!!!!

Wives and girl friends, fine..no guys

quote:

ORIGINAL: HummerGuy

I took my H3 in today to get the pass. side CV boot looked at. It was, in fact, torn. It was a very small hole. They even called it a pinhole, but I noticed it a few months ago.

Anyway the point is, the mechanic that changed the boot said he has seen the same problem on a few other H3's, and that they actually keep the CV boot kit in stock because of the frequent repairs. As someone on here said before, it is a kit, which means they replace the inner and outer boot for the half-shaft on the pass. side. It took about 2 1/2 hours for the repair.

The guy who wrote up the order for me said he hasn't seen that problem yet, but the mechanics have, like I said. Apparently a couple of others have also. It IS covered under warranty.

In order to check for leaks (for people aren't technical), there is an easy way to go.

Turn your wheel all the way to the right. Look on the inside of the front right wheel, and you will see a rubber seal that looks kinda like a spring. Here is a picture of it below:

Turn your wheel all the way to the left to check the driver's side as well.

If you see anything that looks like dark mud, grease, or tar in any of the cracks of the boot, you may have a leak.

This seal protects a joint that moves back and fourth and twists and bends when you turn your tire and wheel, or hit a bump. The actual shaft that connects from your transfer case (engine for novices) to your wheel is connected by this CV joint and transfers power from your engine to your wheel. IF this joint becomes dirty and the grease leaks out, it can seize up, and this is BIG trouble. If that happens, you can cause thousands of dollars in damage to other parts of your engine and transmission, all because of a little rubber boot.

I would advice anybody with a H3 to check for this, because apparently it's a known issue, but does not affect enough people to issue a recall. I would hate to see someone's H3 get ruined just because of a $10 rubber part going back. Most people don't realize it until it's too late unfortunately.

When I was in Kuwait, every Humvee problem with CV boots. So it looks like it's a tradition. LOL!!!

The funny thing is the H3 is a GM product, while the Humvee, H1 and H2 are made by AM general (or at least designed by them), and they still can't get the H3 right. Well, it's a small problem for a what it is.

I spray on vinyl protectant on all my rubbers...seems to keep them soft and supple

Oh the places I could go with that comment...

Are you talking about Armor All, or something like that?

Fish, fish, fish..Almost got a bite

Yes, Like Armor-all, but a product called Vinlyex, by Lexol..It doesn't have the drying, moisture robbing silicones like Armor-all does

I would wonder if the 4wd Canyons and Colorados have the same problem. It would make sense that if they share similar drive trerrain components, they may share boots as well. Yes, I know the half shafts are longer in the H3.

oops

are you off your meds again?

meany

I just got mine out of the shop. They replaced the entire half shaft because it was quicker to do that then wait for the right part to come in. I asked what the price was for the shaft, and the service guy said about $600. I think he is off on that, maybe including labor, but at any rate, its way more expensive then the boot would have cost. I'm glad that was a warranty item.

quote:

ORIGINAL: HummerGuy

This seal protects a joint that moves back and fourth and twists and bends when you turn your tire and wheel, or hit a bump. The actual shaft that connects from your transfer case (engine for novices) to your wheel is connected by this CV joint and transfers power from your engine to your wheel.

First off, thanks for the heads up about them being a potential trouble spot. However, I have to take a moment to tell you, you don't know beans about IFS .. LOL. (no offence) If the tranfer case is connected to my cv joint, and it (the T case) is my engine (for us novices) .. then what do we do with our trannies? Can we ditch 'em to get better mileage.. How many output shafts does this transfer case have anyways? LOL .. And.. does that mean my U joint is a driveshaft?

Don't mean to pick on ya... LOL, I'm just trying to picture, in my head, what it would all look like. I'm going to go grease my muffler bearring.

quote:

The funny thing is the H3 is a GM product, while the Humvee, H1 and H2 are made by AM general (or at least designed by them), and they still can't get the H3 right. Well, it's a small problem for a what it is.

The H2 is sitting on a Tahoe frame/suspension, with tweaks and mods, just like the H3 is on the Colorado frame.

LOL Don't worry about it. I was trying to be simple!

I know exactly how everything is connected and works, but I wanted to explain it in a way that was simple for people that don't know about cars to understand. Believe me, I read this 100 times and knew SOMEBODY was going to say I was wrong, but I didn't want to have to explain to everybody what a differential is, a transfer case, half-shaft, torsion bar, etc. because it would just be more confusing.

If you get too technical for people that don't understand engines and drivetrains, they can get confused easily. If the average car owner reads this they would probably say "What is a transfer case?" or "What is a differential?" I bet alot of people don't know what lockers and gear ratios are either.

So, I guess I am a little mis-informed about who designs what.

You mean I can't grease my muffler bearings? The next thing you are going to tell me is that I can't upgrade the spark plugs in my brake rotors. Sheesh..............

Would you know if the wiggling pin on the wobbling shaft that makes the shimmying bar osculate is broken? I always keep my muffler bearings full of grease, my turn signal fluid topped off, and replace my piston return springs regularly. I also keep my spark plugs fresh in my diesel truck, and my coolant clean in my old VW bug. Proper maintenance is very important.

quote:

ORIGINAL: HummerGuy

LOL Don't worry about it. I was trying to be simple!

I know exactly how everything is connected and works, but I wanted to explain it in a way that was simple for people that don't know about cars to understand. Believe me, I read this 100 times and knew SOMEBODY was going to say I was wrong, but I didn't want to have to explain to everybody what a differential is, a transfer case, half-shaft, torsion bar, etc. because it would just be more confusing.

If you get too technical for people that don't understand engines and drivetrains, they can get confused easily. If the average car owner reads this they would probably say "What is a transfer case?" or "What is a differential?" I bet alot of people don't know what lockers and gear ratios are either.

So, I guess I am a little mis-informed about who designs what.

You mean I can't grease my muffler bearings? The next thing you are going to tell me is that I can't upgrade the spark plugs in my brake rotors. Sheesh..............

I hear ya bro, simple terms are usually best. I try to do the same when I can just to keep anyone from getting all corn-fused.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Linus Gump

Would you know if the wiggling pin on the wobbling shaft that makes the shimmying bar osculate is broken? I always keep my muffler bearings full of grease, my turn signal fluid topped off, and replace my piston return springs regularly. I also keep my spark plugs fresh in my diesel truck, and my coolant clean in my old VW bug. Proper maintenance is very important.

Just remember to use only the "HUMMER" coolant in the H3. You'll know it when you see it on the shelf, it will be in a chrome bottle, and twice as much as the other brands. LOL