Hey guys, purchased a 09 Hummer H3 and barely got it home as the right front was making a ton of noise. Found the right CV axle was pretty much toast. Replaced everything up front except the lower control armas and ball joints. Still getting popping sounds up front seemingly when accelerating normally. Not horrible but can feel it slightly threw the peddle. Getting an alignment now but dont see that fixing this issue. Could this be a front driveshaft issue? Changed the front diff fluid and all seems well there.

 

What Front Half Shaft did you use for a replacement? Anything other than a GM ACDelco will almost certainly cause issues since many of the cheap knock off versions are too short and do not set completely into the Front Diff to lock into place. If the prior owner used a cheap Half Shaft, then the Front Diff on that side may be chewed up and not properly seat the CV Shaft.

You did not mention where your front end ride height is set. Many knucklehead prior owners will adjust the T Bars to raise the front way too far. The max ride height up front is 23.5" fender lip to hub center. More than that you compound the problem with improper spec half shafts that were already too short. GM addressed this mid production with redesigned Half Shafts that were thicker and slightly longer some time in 2008 and used on all the 09+ H3s.

MILES are an important part to include in every tech question. Popping can come from a worn T Case, like one with a stretched chain and/or work teeth.

Last, how about the Front Drive Shaft CV at the T Case? They make a tone of racket when worn out and sloppy.

 

Thanks for the details Doc Olds, so I replaced both cv axles with a basic ebay set, they seemed to sit proper and pop into place without any issues but measuring the fender to the mid hub is around 26"s. I havent touched the torsion keys. Also after replacing all the parts shocks, inner/outer tie rods, front bearings, cv axles, sway bar bush/links the front site quite higher then when I brought it home. Guessing the parts need to break in. Theres 120k on the 3.7. The front drive shaft has a bit of play if I move it around but seems normal.

 

Have you checked the front differential bushings? There are three total; two that connect the differential to the frame, and a larger, beefier one that rests on the cross member right under the front differential.

If the larger one on the cross member gets worn out, the front differential can wobble/rotate slightly when accelerating/decelerating and make a considerable amount of noise.

 

Check your motor mounts. Check trans and transfer case mounting.

 

I did replace the 2 side diff bushings but not the middle bigger one yet, looking at it i noticed it is shot. I have a new front drive shaft coming and already have the middle bushing so will replace those. I dd fix the popping sound as Doc Olds was right about the T keys. I dropped the front to around 23"s and drives much better. But still have some nose up front (bushing prob).Happy Hummer, I will check the mounts out also

 

Excellent!

Have Fun replacing the front differential bushing; just did mine not too long ago and it was a total PITA. Could not imagine doing it without a hydraulic press. Lots of good information and videos out there on how to remove/install it, but be extremely patient during the install; if the bushing doesn’t line up exactly right and gets crooked, don’t simply try to force it in there and think “oh it will straighten itself out”. Back it out, line it up, and try it again.

I got greedy on my first attempt and tried to jam it in with a hydraulic press the first time, and I ruined my first bushing, so I had to order a second one. This time I was much more careful and it worked out a lot better.

Additionally, when re-installing the massive bolt that mounts to the differential, make sure the tip of the bolt has enough space from the oil pan. Otherwise the bolt will scrape/eat into the pan. If it does, you’ll hear some pretty atrocious vibrations and sounds from the engine bay when the two rub against each other.

 

Lol, yeah the 2 small ones killed my arm from 2 days of hammering so could only imagine. Fortunately I got the energy suspension ones, they dont use a metal sleeve so makes it way easier.

 

Might want to look at Outfitter Designs as they make high quality replacement kits for bushings and other goodies.

Yes, the prior owner did you no favors driving with the front adjusted too high. Remember that max of 23.5". If you dropped from 26" to 23.5- 23.6" you will need an alignment to avoid excessive tire wear.

 

Definitely need a alignment. the previous owner apparently did absolutely nothing to maintain this vehicle. I knew I had a project but did not realize the extent of it