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Hummer H3For the Hummer driver who wants the rugged look and off road capabilities of the Hummer, but in a smaller size and with a more fuel economy friendly engine.
Red 2008 Hummer H3 Alpha with 304K on the clock. Cosmetically, looks like half the mileage and everything has been replaced at some point minus motor and front differential, which the latter just went. It has been in our family since new. I paid 3K for it from family member 4 years ago and put about another 3K in it in various repairs and upkeep. It was running beautifully until front diff went. I am having a hard time sourcing a front differential for it used or rebuilt. It will still drive in 4Hi Lock obviously. Anyone know of any reputable sellers who have used or rebuilt ones anywhere? Do I sell it cheap and just get rid of it? Fix it? Drive it as is? We have a Grand Cherokee and 4Runner TD Pro already and just use it as third vehicle. It's hard because I still really like it but also know it's not worth much because of its high mileage. What do you think?
Last edited by 2008H3Alpha; Sep 17, 2020 at 05:31 PM.
Wow, you only have $6k OOP, purchase/repairs in 4yrs($1500yr)? I just leased a '20 terrain awd for my wife, 3yrs $12,600 OOP+repairs. My recommendation, goes the same with my wife: cheaper to keep her.
What is the condition that is telling you that the front diff is gone? Is it noisy or is it not moving in AWD? If its not moving you should check to see if the drive shaft moves. The chain in the transfercase could have broken.
I would check:
Transfercase chain broken or not
cv joint at top of driveshaft has boot in one piece and not busted and just spinning in the cup
CV half shaft left or right are not broken
One of the CV shafts has not slightly pulled out of front diff which sounds and feels like front diff is broken
On one of the H3s we service, the owner complained vehicle would not move and said it sounded like metal grinding. Thought was front diff was toast as they said it would move in 4hi lock. What we found was that the aftermarket CV shaft that was installed at some point was ever so slightly too short and under the right condition would release the snap ring enough that the cv splines were not engaged.
Normally when a cast iron diff "goes" with high mileage its the bearings that start growling especially the pinion bearing. Only failures I have seen of the pinion or ring gear were due to oversized tires and real offroading.
Yes, Only 6k in it total to include purchase. To replace it with another Alpha would cost twice that or more it looks like. It will only drive in 4Hi lock. Otherwise, no engagement and everything is neutral essentially to include Park. That’s how I know it’s the front differential. It looks like axle started to pull out and spun in the differential. It won’t come out now and differential appears to be toast as a result. If I can source a replacement, the labor I get charged at my shop is around 700-800 for this job. I have a few people interested in buying it as is but not sure I want to let it go yet. Can someone point me in right direction on front differential or know of anyone selling used or rebuilt ones these days? GM, of course, discontinued them as you know.
Last edited by 2008H3Alpha; Sep 18, 2020 at 09:41 AM.
Easy................... don't know where you are, but GOOGLE "Ring and Pinion shop near me" or "differential service" call and take the truck there.
Look on Car-Part.com if you want to source a used one and drew blanks on Ebay/CL.
I have two within 10 miles of me here in Detroit. There is even a national chain that does diffs. Just like a transmission, take it to a pro. If I did not have a front locker, I would add one. Doesn't look like you need that based upon your pic.
Easy................... don't know where you are, but GOOGLE "Ring and Pinion shop near me" or "differential service" call and take the truck there.
Look on Car-Part.com if you want to source a used one and drew blanks on Ebay/CL.
I have two within 10 miles of me here in Detroit. There is even a national chain that does diffs. Just like a transmission, take it to a pro. If I did not have a front locker, I would add one. Doesn't look like you need that based upon your pic.
Illinois. SW suburbs. This Alpha is a 2008 with Off Road Package, so only has rear locking diff. I think the front locking diff. was for 09-10 only. If you search car-part.com "carrier assembly" instead of "differential" a bunch pop up for sale in various conditions and mileage. I'm sure we'll find a solution this way and keep another H3 Alpha on the road. My goal was to get another Winter out of it, sell it, sell our Grand Cherokee and go forward with the Bronco reservation we have. Bronco and 4Runner TRD Pro then. Though I have a soft spot for the H3 and may just keep it anyway. It's too bad the new Hummers will be so expensive, and they have about the worst spokesman they could have gotten for them as far as I'm concerned...
Last edited by 2008H3Alpha; Sep 18, 2020 at 04:52 PM.
I have a feeling the front diff is fine and the cv just pulled out and spun. The cv splines are softer than that the side gears so usually once you get the cv out and clean its just a new bearing, seal and ACdelco CV shaft. Worst case you can replace the side gear in the carrier which does not require any "fancy" rebuild.
Thanks guys. Yes, my mechanic has a guy who said he can rebuild the diff IF it truly needs it, but it may just be what atvspeed4 said happened, which would be the best cause scenario. Worst case, I'll spend some money and have a rebuilt front diff. The last thing to do is fix the TPM sensors that haven't worked in 4 years haha. Even if we move forward with the Ford Bronco, reservation, I'll probably just keep the H3 as a 3rd vehicle unless someone really wants it.
What Would You Do???
