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ATTN: H3 Brand Quality Manager

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ATTN: H3 Brand Quality Manager - 10/10/2007 2:15:07 PM

Hummbebe

Posts: 16
Joined: 11/25/2005
Status: offline

An open letter to the H3 Brand Quality Manager.

Dear Sir,

I am formally making a request that all H3 front differentials, be changed from the Cast Aluminum Housing, to the Cast Iron Housing.

Why, for a $90 difference, would you continue to ignore and brush aside an issue that puts your most loyal and dedicated users of your off-road product at such incredible risk of harm?

Twice now, in two years, I have been stranded in very remote areas, due to my Front Differential failure or others. We don’t leave our people behind on a trail. We will go to great lengths to make sure all are off the trail safely. It is and inconvenience to us and the other off-roaders we ride with.

I know of many others who have experienced the same problem all across this Country.

Is that a risk we take? Yes. Do we fully understand that risk? Yes.

However:

H2’s don’t have this issue.
H1’s don’t have this issue.

The known weaknesses in both the above-mentioned Hummer vehicles allow for a trail repair. You can carry a spare tie-rod for the H2; you can carry spare tie-rods and half shafts for the H1.

You cannot carry a spare Front Differential on the trail for the H3.

Leaving this component as is, for those of us that off-road regularly is becoming an increased liability for Hummer. When it breaks out on the trail, or on the road for that matter, the vehicle is COMPLETELY disabled.

There is no temporary repair, no way to disable the full-time 4-wheel drive, so that the vehicle can be driven in two wheel drive off the trail.

It may not be the highest complaint on your warranty reports, but it is certainly one of the more dangerous.

My friends and I have been caught in snowstorms, high deserts in the heat etc, having to strap and winch, for the better part of a full day, to get one or more COMPLETELY disabled H3’s off the trail. I wouldn’t shrug your shoulders at my request until you have done this yourself.

You and I both know, that it does not take abuse to destroy the ring and pinion gear, or crack the housing. It can be done quite easily. To the point, the claim of being able to scale 16” vertical wall should be removed, that is a recipe for disaster, especially if you try it one wheel at a time.

Quotes from your AD copy:

“It delivers all of H3’s renowned off-road capability”, “real-world testing on off-road trails in Moab, Utah, the Rubicon Trail and other challenging off-road venues”,” The H3 lineup also delivers exceptional rock crawling and climbing performance”, and

“A HUMMER by any measure”

Source; http://www.seriouswheels.com/cars/top-2008-Hummer-H3-Alpha.htm

I respectfully disagree; this HUMMER falls a bit short in reliability compared to it’s predecessors. And, because we have to be very careful about the front differential, we require far more strapping and winching up obstacles than that of our predecessors.

This is an easily solved, quickly remedied problem. I am confident that I and my other Hummer

Post #: 1

RE: ATTN: H3 Brand Quality Manager - 10/10/2007 2:28:56 PM

HummerMike

Posts: 376
Joined: 8/8/2006
From: Crown Point, IN
Status: offline

I've been through 2 front differentials on my 06'. I certainly hope GM recognizes your concern and acts upon it. you certainly have a valid argument and the aluminum housing needs to be addressed. It's not a good feeling when it happens and you have to be extracted from a trail and then towed to a dealer. It turns a fun day into a nightmare. Actually, it is the primary reason I upgraded to the Alpha.

_____________________________

'08 H3 ALPHA w/Adventure Package. Graphite Metallic, Mickey Thompson Baja MTZ's, Rocker Panel & Driveline Protection, Winch, more to come...

www.illianahummerclub.com

(in reply to Hummbebe)

Post #: 2

RE: ATTN: H3 Brand Quality Manager - 10/10/2007 2:52:30 PM

jdrew

Posts: 1352
Joined: 11/6/2006
Status: offline

even a hell of a discount on the new ones would be a nice deal...

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Post #: 3

RE: ATTN: H3 Brand Quality Manager - 10/10/2007 3:03:31 PM

HummerGuy

Posts: 6684
Status: offline

Hello HummBebe! Welcome to our forum.

This is a great letter. Did you personally write this, or is it a letter someone else wrote?

Whichever it may be, I don't think anybody could have done a better job. Unfortunately, you know how difficult and hard-headed they are. It took one of our members over 6 months just to get an extended warranty from the infamous Head and Gasket issue that was promised to her.

Keep us updated if you hear response from it.

< Message edited by HummerGuy -- 10/10/2007 3:34:31 PM >

(in reply to Hummbebe)

Post #: 4

RE: ATTN: H3 Brand Quality Manager - 10/10/2007 6:05:40 PM

Hummbebe

Posts: 16
Joined: 11/25/2005
Status: offline

Thank you for the welcome HG.

I wrote it. And I think if we can at least get GM/Hummers attention, and just not take it anymore, the people who DO care about Brand Quality and who care those of us who have invested a ton of money into modifying our off road H3's, it may just work.

Customer complained about the power, and they complained about the window switchs, sin cabin storage etc. All which were addressed is subsequent models.

This is a biggie. I may not get one in my current truck, but at least we won't be strapping all the newbie off roaders off the trial. If we can save someone else from having to go through it, then that will work.

But I really would like to keep wheeling, WITH a CI housing.

(in reply to HummerGuy)

Post #: 5

RE: ATTN: H3 Brand Quality Manager - 10/10/2007 6:28:28 PM

hilljob26

Posts: 2069
Joined: 9/2/2007
Status: offline

thats a great document,lets all hope something happens

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Post #: 6

RE: ATTN: H3 Brand Quality Manager - 10/10/2007 6:36:58 PM

saywhat

Posts: 147
Joined: 8/14/2007
Status: offline

The best answer is , Just buy a ALPHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(in reply to hilljob26)

Post #: 7

RE: ATTN: H3 Brand Quality Manager - 10/10/2007 7:05:08 PM

Doc Olds

Posts: 3811
Joined: 7/11/2007
From: Boat Town USA (Michigan 48045)
Status: offline

The Alpha front diff swaps in to the I5 H3.

I like jdrew's idea, give us a credit and a hellava deal on a new iron diff, and have the dealers swap em out for anybody that wants to do the upgrade. Grocery getting pavement pounders may find this a nonproblem no issue thing. Ah, if it were only that easy.

(in reply to saywhat)

Post #: 8

RE: ATTN: H3 Brand Quality Manager - 10/10/2007 7:37:53 PM

mh307

Posts: 147
Joined: 10/7/2007
Status: offline

That is a fantastic letter. But what kinda wheeling are you doing to destroy your front diffs? I do mainly mild wheeling, on dirt-roads, hills, ect. I'm not really into rock crawling, i'm afraid to destroy my vehicle. Is my HUMMER safe in doing this mild stuff? And is this covered under warranty?

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THEN:07 H3 Adventure: 17" Ultras, 315/70 BFG's
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Post #: 9

RE: ATTN: H3 Brand Quality Manager - 10/10/2007 8:10:14 PM

Hummbebe

Posts: 16
Joined: 11/25/2005
Status: offline

Moab, Rubicon, Fordyce....the west coast trifecta

Yes the diff will be covered to the end of your warranty, as long as you are not "abusing" it.

(in reply to mh307)

Post #: 10

RE: ATTN: H3 Brand Quality Manager - 10/10/2007 8:20:02 PM

Gunner_45

Posts: 1926
Joined: 12/14/2006
From: North Central Texas
Status: online

Bebe, do you have any vid links handy that would illustrate your brand of wheeling......?

I know there are a ton of 'em.

(I've seen most of 'em and would post a few, but I've only got text access at the moment)

< Message edited by Gunner_45 -- 10/10/2007 8:22:38 PM >

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Post #: 11

RE: ATTN: H3 Brand Quality Manager - 10/10/2007 8:50:20 PM

Hummbebe

Posts: 16
Joined: 11/25/2005
Status: offline

You can try here.....

http://www.h3adventures.com/coppermine/

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Post #: 12

RE: ATTN: H3 Brand Quality Manager - 10/10/2007 9:07:49 PM

Gunner_45

Posts: 1926
Joined: 12/14/2006
From: North Central Texas
Status: online

Sometimes seeing it is better than describing it.

Thanks.

_____________________________

ROTM –September 2007
2007 Adventure Pkg, Katzkin leather, CAI, SG II
Rock Rails, SMA b-guard, KC Lites, ProComp 6079’s W/Simulocks, Swamper TrXus MT’s

(in reply to Hummbebe)

Post #: 13

RE: ATTN: H3 Brand Quality Manager - 10/10/2007 10:25:29 PM

3hummers

Posts: 11822
Joined: 9/23/2007
Status: offline

The front differential is one reason ( HP and torque are the others ) we got the Alpha. You are dead on with the H2 and H1 issues. most breakdowns in the H2 and Hummer can be trail fixed by any competent backyard wrencher. Haven't broken anything on the Alpha yet but haven't put it through its paces very hard either. For $90.00 and the reputation of the brand it seems like a no brainer for GM..

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2006 H1 Alpha wagon
2000 H1 Slantback
1997 H1 wagon
2008 H3 Alpha

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Post #: 14

RE: ATTN: H3 Brand Quality Manager - 10/11/2007 6:04:09 AM

HummerGuy

Posts: 6684
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Hummbebe

Thank you for the welcome HG.

I wrote it. And I think if we can at least get GM/Hummers attention, and just not take it anymore, the people who DO care about Brand Quality and who care those of us who have invested a ton of money into modifying our off road H3's, it may just work.

Customer complained about the power, and they complained about the window switchs, sin cabin storage etc. All which were addressed is subsequent models.

This is a biggie. I may not get one in my current truck, but at least we won't be strapping all the newbie off roaders off the trial. If we can save someone else from having to go through it, then that will work.

But I really would like to keep wheeling, WITH a CI housing.

You are quite welcome. Just be warned; there are members here already warning us about your behavior on Ecoli forums, etc, so please refrain from any personal and/or antagonistic comments to any of our members that might be taken offensively, and don't go back there bashing us for trying to help you. That's all