Killer Ditch in Waiparous Takes out H2 CV's.

[MDimitri]

Here we all are, ready for a picture perfect day of off-roading at Waiparous Trail #131 known as the: Waterfall run. We met at Cochrane Ranch parking lot at 9:00am and departed from there. We then headed for Waiparous main staging area known as the Gravel Pit. Then it happened.... Greg does a very simple run through a easy small smooth fine-gravel ditch and comes out with no boo boo's...I'm thinking...Kool ! My turn....same run as Greg...but suddenly several loud "BANG BANG" noises from the right front of the truck and low and behold...my inner CV exploded! Holy S..T!!!!! Was I pissed off!!! This was the absolute beginning of the trail and I didn't even get to take my truck out into the real trial!! End result...$485.00 towing bill...$1,650.00 bill from the dealership the replace the faulty part. Total days expenses...$2135.00.

This was going to be my real first off road trip and ended up being a monsterously huge disappointment, we wasted over two hours trying to get the flippin thing off just to find that we didn't bring the proper tools in the first place, on that there is only myself to blame. A HUGE thanks goes out to Greg and Jeff for all the help they provided. I guess the biggest disappointment was that the dealership charged a hell of alot for a part that should really run around $500-$600.00.

Here is a few shots of the damage and the killer ditch (Greg with his H1 is posing in the ditch) that screwed me in the first place.

[Alan06SUT]

How fast did you hit it?

[DRTYFN]

Just tell us there's no video that's going to end up all over the internet.

[MDimitri]

Originally Posted by Alan06SUT

How fast did you hit it?

Thats just it...I didn't hit it at all...Greg (H1 Owner) was guiding me through it slowly and we were just taking it easy...he was showing me some fundamentals of off roading...so I literally crawled into the ditch...Gregs friend Jeff is a heavy duty mechanic and has had lots of experience with the H1's and H2's was guiding me through on my right hand side when we all heard was some loud banging!! Well...you can see what happened next.... Greg was really dissappointed at the end result...He has owned 3 H1's so far and has done trials all over the USA and Canada, mega experienced. He figures that this must have been a defect from factory from some time back. The CV housing must have had a fracture in it for some time now...I just can't believe my dealership did not notice any leaking from the boot or housing during my last 50,000 km check (which was about a month or so ago). I ended up replacing the pitman arms a tie rod along with some other front end work...and spending a small fortune in the process. But the biggest scary part was that when Jeff took the wheel cover off the right front we noticed that one of the lug nuts was half off!!! When we pryed off the others they hardly needed any effort at all to remove....now that was scarey!!!! I use the truck every day to and from work and take my two little guy's with me everywhere...don't even want to contemplate what could have happened.

[cestwick]

You didn't give alot of info on your H2 and what was broke/replaced but By the "book" it only pays 1.2 hrs to replace a shaft and the shaft lists for 585.24 retail. ????????

Chris

[h2co-pilot]

That sux.

Greg and Jeff are my older brother's names.

Did it sound like this?

http://media.putfile.com/CP-99

[MDimitri]

Originally Posted by h2co-pilot

That sux.

Greg and Jeff are my older brother's names.

Did it sound like this?

http://media.putfile.com/CP-99

Arrgggghhh!! YES!!! Gives me the chills...like fingernails on a blackboard!! VOMIT...VOMIT....

[MDimitri]

Originally Posted by cestwick

You didn't give alot of info on your H2 and what was broke/replaced but By the "book" it only pays 1.2 hrs to replace a shaft and the shaft lists for 585.24 retail. ????????

Chris

They are replacing the whole right side CV shaft assembly. I know what it should cost but for what they are asking I might as well get the transfer case thrown in also! I found this part from: www.autopartsgiant.com Look up 2003 Hummer H2 and look under CV Shaft Assembly and you will see this part: It is a Brand NEW (Not RM) right side CV Shaft Assembly:



Cost for the part is $118.40 I will have it aired up here via Fed-Ex and it will probably run me another $120.00 for that, but it's wayyyy cheaper than the roughly $1,200.00 bucks for the same part from the dealership. Hell, for this price I will buy 2 and keep one as an extra.

[MDimitri]

Originally Posted by DRTYFN

Just tell us there's no video that's going to end up all over the internet.

No worries...no vids were taken during this pre-run, just stills. I can only imagine what Dennis will be saying when he reads this...

[DennisAJC]

Originally Posted by MDimitri

No worries...no vids were taken during this pre-run, just stills. I can only imagine what Dennis will be saying when he reads this...

You done well my son.

Scarey aboot those loose lugs.

[MDimitri]

Originally Posted by DennisAJC

You done well my son.

Scarey aboot those loose lugs.

Absolutely!

[KenP]

What year is your truck? HUMMER should have covered that as they did the H3's in Moab. Including the tows to Salt Lake City. That kind of pisses me off.

BTW, we had our CV replaced in Moab for a little over $200, TOTAL.

[MDimitri]

Originally Posted by PhilD

I carry two complete new half shaft assemblies, they are $94 each. They are Cardone Select (not Cardone A1 refurbs), brand new, and cheap, but good insurance to carry on the trail. Took 60 minutes for Seth and myself to change one the first time, would take less now.

When mine have blown, it's always been the outer cage that gives, usually with a loud crack. You just remove the inboard bolts, cut the out board boot, and pull it out. Lock the t-case and you can continue in 2WD, or find a good place to swap in a new one. Bet you could do it in less than 30 minutes with a bit of practice.

Thats the ones I just ordered from the Auto Parts Giant; CARDONE SELECT Part # 66-1325, Brand New, NOT RM'd. I ordered 2 of them and including air freight they came out to: $365.00 CDN. Damn good price!

[NEOCON1]

its that canadian play money thing again sorry to hear about your misfortune must be the air up there or something

[NEOCON1]

Originally Posted by KenP

What year is your truck? HUMMER should have covered that as they did the H3's in Moab. Including the tows to Salt Lake City. That kind of pisses me off.

BTW, we had our CV replaced in Moab for a little over $200, TOTAL.

he has to be out of warranty .

[MDimitri]

Originally Posted by NEOCON1

he has to be out of warranty .

You bet I'm out of warranty, but there is no way GM would have covered this in the first place! It's kinda hard to hide it from em when the truck is all covered in muck!

[westhillsat]

Sorry to hear about your truck

Neo's H3 broke the front gear differential and I believe a rear half shaft. This while we were in Moab, Utah. It was flat bedded to the closest dealer.

All was covered under warranty.

[Hummie2]

Originally Posted by PhilD

When mine have blown, it's always been the outer cage that gives, usually with a loud crack. You just remove the inboard bolts, cut the out board boot, and pull it out. Lock the t-case and you can continue in 2WD,

Phil - SAVE THOSE OUTER ENDS IF YOU STILL HAVE THEM!

Thats a good point for anyone that pulls a front halfshaft loose from the hub and tries to drive the truck. Be sure to leave the outer shaft end in the hub with the nut still in place to hold the wheel bearing/seal assy. togather. I carry two 1"X5" bolts with nuts and some large flat washers for that purpose. I can stick the bolts through the center of the hub to retain the bearing if I pull the halfshafts.

You can drive the truck home with a blown frontend by pulling both halfshafts and the front driveshaft then put the T-case in 4high lock effectively making it a 2WD. However the hub/bearing assy may seperate causing the disc brake to bind up or worse yet the wheel leave the truck if there isn't some positive means to hold the bearings & seal all in place.

Hopefully we won't need all dem halfshafts @ X-Rocks!