So as assumed when lifting the front by cranking the torsion bars, the cv axle boots have wore prematurely. This is do to the higher angle and stress on the boot. Since a lot of us have lifted our fronts, is anyone else having the same problem? I am planning to order RCV Performance high angle boots, which they claim to be perfect for high angle applications since they're "made differently".

Does anyone have any experience with replacing the boots on our trucks and/or with rcv performance?

I'm not looking to go down to the auto parts store and buy a re-manufactured axle. My axles only have 80K on them and the boot is only leaking between two of the bellows and not tore (yet).

Does anyone have any steps on removing the cv joint aka half shafts from our trucks?

Attached is a pic of the problem boot and its angle.

 

IF, if.... the failure was because of a T Bar adjustment to level the front, you may have went too far. I've seen and heard of many people who lifted past 23.5" from fender to hub center have half shaft failure.

If you did not lift too far, you got 80K miles out them on a truck you have been wheeling, that ain't bad. Boots break down, and in my experience, when you need a new boot, CV joint failure is not too far behind? I witnessed an 07 that I did the T Bar lift on at 23.5" with around 20K just blow out (and I mean flying fragments) the driver side half shaft.

Personally, I'd get ahold of theBroken @ Ridgedemon and move to 08 - 10 halfshafts, reboot yours for trail spares.

Go over to Hummer X and search, CB Photo did a picture how to on the half shaft replacement, that I think was also copied to CHO.

Best of luck.

 

Thankjs Doc for the reply, are there differences between early model 06' and th 08-10' year halfshafts that are beneficial when wheeling?

For reference I was leveled to between 23.5 and 24. Sits around 23.7 right now.

 

Yes, in 08 the shafts became thicker/more heavy duty, and the CV boot is a wee bit longer. In very rough nimbers, the 06/07 HS are appx 7/8" and the 08 & up HS are about 1 1/8". Here is a so so pic from Broke. Having seen them side by side, and BSing w/ Brodie about this topic after some wheeling, the sad part is it appears the 06/07s were actually lathed/machined to make them narrower? WTH is w/ that?

The top is an 07.

 

Necrobump!

Is the 08-10 a direct swap into a 2006-2007? If not, what else needs changed out to facilitate the swap?

I have 2 outer boots that are barely throwing grease, so I may as well replace the 2 shafts on my time and terms prior to ultimate failure.

Is there a recommended brand, or is Rock Auto or Autozone specials as good as any?

 

Get the GM/AC Delco off ebay. Search this: Axle Shaft Front ACDelco GM Original Equipment 15886012 fits 06-10 Hummer H3

Direct swap in. The off brands are cheap for a reason, some are just re-manufactured early versions that you don't want, some of the foreign crap are like 1/16" too short as well. You do not want your half shaft popping out of the axle carrier when buzzing down the highway after a bump.

Necrobumper.

 

Would a shaft starting to go bad make a small popping noise up front when making a sharp turn? I have a 07 H3 3.7 liter. I had to replace the left hub assembly about a year ago. Torqued everything to spec. Now about 6 months later I am having a slight popping or clicking noise in the front right side. It's very faint, but I cannot figure it out. I know what a cv joint sounds like when it is bad. A bunch of marbles grinding. This is no where near that. Please help, and thanks

 

Hey doc, question? I have an 07 H3 auto with 107,000 miles. I am putting new cv axles in both sides. I have been reading your posts about the beefier 08-09 axles. the ac delco brand from previous posts. would these be a direct fit going in my 07 H3, and are there any other things to buy besides the axle seals? thanks for any advise or reply!

 

Direct replacement for all H3/H3Ts and yep, the only other thing is the seals.

 

I've been reading through the CV shaft replacement threads as my inner boot on the driver side is leaking. Since some of the threads are old so I'm checking to see if there are any updates. Some history on my 2008 H3,


134k miles
Ready lift leveling kit installed at 44k
Fender distance 23.5"


This is the first boot to leak. I went to the dealer, they wanted $495 for a new shaft. I was going to order AC/delco 15886012 from Amazon $268. I've seen some a lot cheaper but will stay away from those.


Is this a good purchase or are there any other places to get this from?