I recently bought an H3 (2007) usedand have had it for about a month. I have noticed a faint knocking/rattling noise from the front left side when I hit a bump. Today I took it off road for the first time and the noise was more noticeable. After the off roading adventure, my steering wheel is off center, but I don't feel any pull to one side or the other (needs an alignment?). To add to this confusion, I didn't notice the noise on the ride home. What could this be? Also is it normal to need an alignment after tough off road driving?

This is my first post here and I'm new to off roading so take it easy on me :-)

Thanks

 

Just searched the forum archives and found that others also report the same noise.

https://www.hummerforums.com/m_67824/tm.htm

So, I guess I need to have a chat with the dealer about the stearing shaft.

Could this have anything to do with my steering alignment now after my off road adventure? Or are the two unrelated?

Thanks

 

I do not know what you did specifically off roading, but no, you should not knock your alignment out just because you went off road. The steering shaft problem, assuming you have it, is not related to any alignment adjustment, at least not that I have heard of yet? So I'm guessing unrelated. Welcome to the forums just the same.

 

welcome,although off roading shouldnt take your alignment out,you can tweak it out depending on how hard you wheel.its just like hitting pot holes in the street,every little thing will add up

 

It's always possible you bent a Tie rod.... or as simple as your tire is low.... every now and then when I wheel I will come out with a tire that is 5-10 psi low.... it holds air fine... it isn'ta slowleak...but it pulls hard until I get it aired up again..

 

Took it to the dealer today to have the steering shaft replaced and they told me I bent a tie rod. Muddydawg got it right!

$525 for parts and labor (includes the alignment). Probably getting screwed because it's the dealer...

 

thats exactly why i do things for people for 1/2,i mean 500 bucks for a tierod,i can get an alignment for 40 bucks,that rediculous