I have an 03 H2....

Everything has been fine with the truck since I got it, but for the past 6 months or so, there has been a loud squeal when turning the steering wheel to the left...if I turn it to the right it stops...the truck still turns jus fine, but the squeal is getting LOUD!.
At first it was pretty minor, but it has gotten progressively worse...
(I checked power steering fluid, and its full)

On a side note, also when turning sharp, occasionally there are some very distinct "pops"...

I'm thinking the pops are CV joints going????

But anyone have any ideas on the squealing????

I'm gonna take it to a shop soon, but thought I would ask around here first to get an idea if anyone has had this issue and approx how much it cost to get it taken care of...

Thanks in advance for any help anyone can offer...

 

take off your skid plate and transfer case cage and see if the sound goes away. i think if it was your CV joint you'd feel something in the steering wheel.

 

Mine made the popping noise sometimes but there were no mechanical issues.

 

if you felt some roughness then it would be the CV I believe, you have not gone to a shop yet?

 

The Squeel should be from the Serpentine belt just replace it.

The pop sound you are hearing. Does it happen at slow speed like when backing out of a parking spot and turning the wheel. If so It is probubly the intermediate steering shaft. My H2 is doing this as well. And there is a TSB that calls for the steering shaft. I also talked to the mechanic at Hummer of Cincinnati and he Concurred that is what it is as well. So I will be installing a new shaft this week. If anyone else has done this any imput would be great!

Eric

 

the intermediate shaft is more of a "clunk", not a pop or squeal. but you're right, it is primarily noticable at slow speeds. mine was replaced over a year ago. the serpentine belt would be an issue regardless of which way you're turning, not only when turning left. i still think removing the undercarriage protection is an easy, and free, way to check to see if the sound goes away. this way, if the sound is still there, that's one less thing the dealership needs to take off to investigate the problem.

 

i agree with shortbus. take off the skid plates first. also on the 03 H2's a lot of the popping noise when turning could be the front crossmember needs to be modified or the lower control are bolts are loose, and the centering washers that center the control arm bolt threw the frame have popped out. this causes the bolt and washer to longate the hole which could be your popping noise.
the crossmember mod. is on a TSB which the dealer should be able to pull up. the centering washer is a visual thing.
good luck.

 

I replaced the intermediate shaft on my 03 and it was an easy job. Took maybe 30 min and sure made the steering feel a lot better.

 

yes the popping is only at slow speeds...like when backing intoa parking spot is the only time i hear it...

thanks guys I'll take these suggestions and check it out..

 

Any ideas about how much the intermediate steering shaft should run me?
How difficult are they to install?