H3 Steering rack issues

[telemike]

My steering just started creaking when I turn the wheel. I assume that's the bushings going? If I get the rack reinforcement brackets do I need to replace the rack too?

Dies a remanufactured rack come with new bushings and brackets?

Thanks

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[digglesworth]

Which bracket you get determines if you get new bushings or not. I wouldn't think you need to replace the whole rack if you get one of the aftermarket clamps. Some may say its not a bad idea. I guess racks get "tired".... Depends on how many miles you have on your current rack and how much cash you have to invest. Not sure about the remanned racks coming with bushings. I would think they do but dunno.

 

[telemike]

, 118k miles, 2007. Ugh really don't need this now.

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[digglesworth]

Have you checked to see if the rack is leaking or cracked? Maybe check the torque on the drivers side bolts. Maybe spray the bushings with silicone spray to lube em up and see if it stops creaking... How's the passenger side braket look? Is it bent or deformed? The rack mount is a good upgrade and will drastically improve the steering system. The mayhem kit and the outfitter design both come with replacement bushings. I believe the PCF does not... That's an expense in itself so adding the cost of a new rack can really make it painful in the pocketbook.

 

[alrock]

Are you sure it's the rack making the noise? Other parts come into play there too, like sway bar bushings and those are more likely to make creaking noises than the steering rack mounts. Jerry S. recently put in a new rack and got noises like you have, so for him it's unlikely that it's the rack.

 

[06 H3]

Alrock is right I had a creak from the steering and wondered if it was my rack but I have an aftermarket rack clamp and bushings. I had my brother turn the wheel and the rack didnt move. I looked further outboard and whenever he turned the wheel the upper a arm would move a good 1/2in or so from the bushings.

Check other things. It felt like the steering but it was the a arms for me.

 

[08H3]

Without hearing it, all anyone can do is throw out ideas. The first I would check is the torsion bars where they go into the LCA. That's the sound I would most closely associate with a "creak" on my truck. In my case, I'd say the rack was more of a "clunk". Good luck figuring it out.

 

[telemike]

It sounded like rubber squeaking. I'll visually look at sway bars and a arms tommorow.

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[ReconH3]

Get silicone spray and do one thing at a time till sound goes away. Start with sway bar bushings since they are notorious to become noisy. Steering bracket wouldn't be a bad idea anyways since it's the weak link of the front end.


"Ex Umbris Venimus"

 

[telemike]

Well, on the drive in to work this morning. No noises. Hmm. wierd. I'm going to get some silicone spray at lunch and lube the bushings and A-arms. I'm also going to check my torsion bar height and ajust down to 23"

 

[4speedfunk]

118k miles, 2007. Ugh really don't need this now.

Actually...yeah you do.

I recommend to every H3 owner to just commit to the fact that at 100K miles...your front suspension is probably wasted. I'm sure there are some H3's driving around that are okay at this mileage but, the overwhelming majority (especially if you've wheeled it)...need some attention. The H3 is a very high-maint vehicle and it requires lots of love (and $$$) to keep it running perfect. Fortunately for us, the entire front end can be freshened-up, and even improved (aftermarket parts) for around $1800 in parts...

Ball joints
A-arms
CV-shafts
Steering rack bushing kit
Diff-mount bushing kit
Unit bearings (hubs)
Shocks

All of this stuff is junk at 100K. No doubt I'll catch flack from nay-sayers but, if you want your H3 to perform like (or better than) new, replace all this stuff. You can nibble at it...replacing individual parts here & there but, IMO...it should be done all at once. These parts are all related to each other, and considering you have to dis-assemble everything to replace one part...it makes sense to do it all. If you do all this work at the same, you'll be flabbergasted at the improvement. Best of all...you'll be good for another 100K miles. Embrace it or sell it.

 

[digglesworth]

I would like to get into that a little more, whether her or in a new thread.... Mainly about a-arms and cv shafts. I'm guessing pcf for the diff bushings and all 3 would be needed... Ac delco makes a nice set of lower ball joints w/ zerk fittings. Lower arm bushings (oem) can be had for around $20/each. The rack bracket I'm going with comes with new bushings and I'm guessing timken makes good hubs.... So is oem the way to go for a-arms? I've seen sets for less than $200 for both but they are aftermarket replacements. And cv shafts, are the empi ones good? I've seen those for less than $70 each.... Prsonally I'm at around 82k miles. My shocks were replaced at 75k and the rack bracket will be done in the next few thousand miles. I'd like to start stock piling these things for when the time comes. I don't think my truck has been off-road but I plan to wheel it this year and due to age, these parts may deteriorate pretty quickly with some wheeling trips.

 

[telemike]

No noise at lunch. Did notice my torsion bars went from 23.5 to 24... Lowered em down to 23 and see where they settle at. Sprayed silicone on bushings

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[telemike]

Ride home, no issues. Have torsions at 22.75, see how they settle in

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[3Hummers]

I think 22 3/4" is the perfect height.

 

[telemike]

Well darn it, I'm getting a creaking/squeaking noise this morning. h3 parked and running, I can turn the steering wheel and I get that noise. Almost sounds like a loud door creaking or maybe a rubber noise, not sure.......

Seems to be doing this in extreme cold, went to move the H3 to a different parking spot and the creaking went away.

T

 

[ReconH3]

When it happens, is the steering turned, or does it also when it's straight?


"Ex Umbris Venimus"

 

[telemike]

Not straight, only turning. I'm going to remove front slid plate and look closer at rack mounts

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[ReconH3]

When that happened to me, it was because one of the half shafts was about to go. I hope I'm wrong, but it happened more than once.


"Ex Umbris Venimus"

 

[telemike]

Well.... That could be. I just replaced passenger side with a reman, might be other side going.?

I'll check out tommorow and see

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[telemike]

Looks like the other CV shaft is the culprit.

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[digglesworth]

Bummer. At least you found it though.

 

[telemike]

I had wife turn steering wheel while I looked at rack and driver cv was creaking. At l at I love honk it's that. Ball joints wouldn't creak like a bad cv?

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[poncho1965]

At l at I love honk it's that.

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Indeed


Mike

 

[telemike]

At least I think it's that, darn autospell

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