Off Road wear and tear items on your Hummer

[Portager]

I've owned my H3T a little over 2 years and 4 months and I have 42,000 miles on it.

So far I've replaced:
1 rear leaf spring
3 rear anti-sway bar linkages.

All replaced under warranty.

 

[Ron B]

H1 newbie question:
How does a worn Pittman arm feel as you drive the truck?

the steering feels sloppy, delayed, mushy.

I was using an hd pitman that Rubber Duck made a short run of back in '08/'09. He still makes hd idlers (which are fabulous) but no longer makes the hd pitman. It had been on the truck way too long but still was not as bad as a stock pitman with a fraction of the abuse on it (until it broke!!). I was just talking to Hummer Dan about it on Saturday morning and how I needed to change it out (along with all fluids, balljoints, the idler, halfshafts, tierod ends, blah blah blah).

 

[Ron B]

I'm guessing the H1 pitman arms have integral drag link ends? I ask because I have never seen a "regular" pitman arm (the kind that takes tapered DLE's) "worn out"...

here's a pic from Bluehummer.com showing all the goodies that need to be changed often -- especially with over sized tires (pitman is in the middle)

 

[MaxPF]

So my assumption was correct - the DLE is integrated into the pitman arm. Ugh, I hate when manufacturers do that. Makes maintenance a lot more expensive

 

[Ron B]

Last time I looked I think the standard pitman was around $65/70...but the sure don't last long if you wheel it right!

 

[Kurt]

H1 newbie question:
How does a worn Pittman arm feel as you drive the truck?

I got a video somewhere. If you can drive straight with your h1 and still be able to swing the steering wheel back and forth 2" with a lot of play that's usually means it's time to replace.

The truck should steer immediately with no slop or play.

 

[JGBB04]

So far for broken/worn out parts I've got 1 half shaft, 1 front ring & pinion, 1 diff cross member, oil pump & trans cooler/radiator. Also thinks it's time for new leaf springs as the back end is sagging, not sure if I'll try that under warranty or just get better after market ones now. All covered under warranty except the cross member, I did temp fix on that & waiting on my spare from Hans which will be sent to Preferred Chassis.

 

[LagunaH1]

I got a video somewhere. If you can drive straight with your h1 and still be able to swing the steering wheel back and forth 2" with a lot of play that's usually means it's time to replace.

The truck should steer immediately with no slop or play.

...thinking that mine is getting to that point. From what I've read this is a pretty simple job.

 

[backcountryislife]

Owned mine since last sept, got about 13k, mostly trail miles as it's not a daily driver anymore.

2- steering racks
1- cut tire
2- cv boots
a few seals
2- crossmembers (and another one that I should replace the bushing on now)


Not too bad for how much I get out & the type of wheeling I do. I think with an FJ or similar I'd have similar issues.

 

[3Hummers]

Mikkel, it is a pretty easy replacement.

 

[LagunaH1]

Mikkel, it is a pretty easy replacement.

Yep, I figured it would be. I recall seeing the idler arm on Bill's alpha be replaced in what seemed like 10 minutes

 

[HUMMER INVESTMENTS]

Yep, I figured it would be. I recall seeing the idler arm on Bill's alpha be replaced in what seemed like 10 minutes

Just be sure to have a pitman arm remover, otherwise it can be very hard to pull it off. Idlers are the easiest of the two.

 

[3Hummers]

I have the OEM pitman arm remover.

 

[Kurt]

It's not too bad to do, getting the front stabilizer/sway bar reinstalled can be tricky if it's twisted a bit like mine was

I usually get new cotter pins and bust out by big torque wrench so I can really torque the big nut on the steering gear.

A good quality puller is needed, I used the harbor freight $7 one once and it just turned to dust. I used the $30 Autozone one made in Taiwan which held up much better.

As for on the trail breakage, I've had:

-Lose power steering hose come loose
-transfer case blew up [this was as soon as I brought the truck]
-And lost of turbo charger which was a long standing electrical issue that Mike at tustin tracked down last year.

Recently I've lost a belt and vacuum pump during a mud romp a few weeks ago..

 

[3Hummers]

I have wounded two transfer cases but not broken one entirely. Lost a couple of tires to sidewall penetrations.

 

[HUMMER INVESTMENTS]

I forgot to add I lost an Upper Radiator Hose during one of my longer trips ( about 15k miles ) about half way through.

 

[3Hummers]

I have had surprisingly little trail damage, especially considering some of the trails that I have run. I think I have had more onroad issues than offroad issues.

 

[HUMMER INVESTMENTS]

I have had surprisingly little trail damage, especially considering some of the trails that I have run. I think I have had more onroad issues than offroad issues.

Well you do take loving care of your Hummers:thumbs:

 

[Zach]

I have had a lot of parts replaced due to mileage and wear. Almost 150k
2 half shafts - torn boot
2 sets of front hubs
rear air bags
rear compressor
2 sets of idler/pitman arms
tie rods- cognito's wore out
front diff bushing
front crossmember
transfer case
2 water pumps- going on third one. Replaced it before I went to Moab and already leaking
power steering pump
on 2nd set of wheels- too many rocks in So cal lol
Most of which was replaced under warranty

On the trail
half shaft broken
level sensor for rear suspension
rear ring gear- lost a couple teeth on it. But drove off the trail

 

[3Hummers]

Having something wrong with anything I use is a big problem for me. I like all of my stuff to be "right".

 

[HUMMER INVESTMENTS]

I wouldn't use right for you, more like "prefect". Just from looking at your '92, I could tell it was in great condition. Wish there was a tustin Hummer within 50 miles of Rapid

 

[LagunaH1]

Having something wrong with anything I use is a big problem for me. I like all of my stuff to be "right".

I can relate. I *hate* the nagging feeling of something being not perfect..... Poor Mike is on the receiving end of this disorder.....

 

[3Hummers]

Yep.

 

[alrock]

Jerry S., MaxPF and Bigunit suffer through my paranoia. "Guys, I need some garage space this weekend". Though I guess it isn't paranoia when it's actually broken.

 

[06 H3]

I used to be paranoid about my paint...that was a long time ago, I got over the paint as most of you probably have seen...it can still shine but you gotta look past all the scratches. I get angry when something doesnt feel right on my truck, I mean angry to the point where I want to be left alone until I figure it out.

That happened to me tonight actually, I ordered a part for the trans that was causing a random 4th gear to 3rd downshift. It was random, it wouldnt happen for weeks but now its happening again. Tonight on the freeway it kept downshifting to 3rd, even going downhill. I got so pist off!!!! Now I know what I am doing tomorrow, changing that damn part. After I look at Daves H1 first.