Ran into another H3 with my problem yesterday ...

[Hmmm2]

Originally Posted by Ed Coryell

The rep suggested they cycle through 4H - 4H-locked - 4L to see if that fixed the problem, and it did.

Ed, do you normally drive in 4H all of the time .. never using the 4H-Locked or 4L? My particular grind was definitely in the rear right and I could feel it in the brake when I'd come to a stop. After all was said and done, they discovered a warped rotor. I don't off-road mine (though I have in a different H3 ), so I always drive in 4H.

[fourfourto]

This summer I was at the beach every other week used 4H lock and used
4 low a couple times fooling around the back dunes and some rocks.
so my tranfer case gets cycled every few weeks.
The sound is definatly from the brakes.


I don't off-road mine

Hmmm3 say its not so

get out there and tear it up

[Hmmm2]

Originally Posted by fourfourto

I don't off-road mine

Hmmm3 say its not so

get out there and tear it up

LOL, fourfourto. Chrome, mudflaps, steps prevent me in THIS vehicle. I have off-roaded in H3's and an H2, tho ..just not mine.

[fourfourto]

I wheel with mudflaps and steps,I just limit myself and know when to back up only got a small scuff on bottom of steps on this hill no big deal.

[Hmmm2]

Originally Posted by fourfourto

I wheel with mudflaps and steps,I just limit myself and know when to back up only got a small scuff on bottom of steps on this hill no big deal.

Ooooookay, fourfourto .. I'll baptize her. I'll let you know when I try MY H3 on some hills. Just know I'll have my teeth clenched and eyes closed when I think I might scrape any chrome/bling.

[f5fstop]

Ok, you guys got me, in the past two days, I have noticed this groaning from the left rear brake; not a grinding, but more of a groaning when coming to a stop under heavy pressure. Slow stopping does not bring on the noise, only heavy or very heavy.
At this point I am not sure what it is, but it is not due to a warped rotor, this was confirmed today.
Personally, I'm leaning toward the inside the rotor's hat park brake assembly, and the brake shoes rotating on a dry backing plate. (L-Series Saturns had the same rear park brake system, and the same type of groaning noise; not as loud, but similar.) In other words, the park brake shoes are hanging up. This could explain why the rotor is removed and turned and reinstalled, the noise goes away due to the freeing up of the park brake assembly when the rotor is removed.
If it is the park brake, it would not cause a braking problem, only an aggravating noise problem.
I am trying to schedule the H3 brake service engineer to come over to my facility and let's tear into this and figure out exactly what it is.
This will take a few days, but I'll keep you informed.

[Hmmm2]

Originally Posted by f5fstop

Ok, you guys got me, in the past two days, I have noticed this groaning from the left rear brake; not a grinding, but more of a groaning when coming to a stop under heavy pressure. Slow stopping does not bring on the noise, only heavy or very heavy.

Yessss, you're right, f5fstop ... it is more of a groan than a grind. I can't wait to hear what you find out about yours! My H3 is fine so far .. I hope they found mine and finally took care of it. I can't even imagine living with that 'groan' sound for the life of the vehicle. Do you feel it in your brake, too .. same as fourfourto and myself? Keep us in the loop.

[fourfourto]

Originally Posted by f5fstop

Ok, you guys got me, in the past two days, I have noticed this groaning from the left rear brake; not a grinding, but more of a groaning when coming to a stop under heavy pressure. Slow stopping does not bring on the noise, only heavy or very heavy.
At this point I am not sure what it is, but it is not due to a warped rotor, this was confirmed today.
Personally, I'm leaning toward the inside the rotor's hat park brake assembly, and the brake shoes rotating on a dry backing plate. (L-Series Saturns had the same rear park brake system, and the same type of groaning noise; not as loud, but similar.) In other words, the park brake shoes are hanging up. This could explain why the rotor is removed and turned and reinstalled, the noise goes away due to the freeing up of the park brake assembly when the rotor is removed.
If it is the park brake, it would not cause a braking problem, only an aggravating noise problem.





I am trying to schedule the H3 brake service engineer to come over to my facility and let's tear into this and figure out exactly what it is.
This will take a few days, but I'll keep you informed.

Any word from the service engineer?
Im getting a little groan again

[Ed Coryell]

Originally Posted by Hmmm3

Ed, do you normally drive in 4H all of the time .. never using the 4H-Locked or 4L? My particular grind was definitely in the rear right and I could feel it in the brake when I'd come to a stop. After all was said and done, they discovered a warped rotor. I don't off-road mine (though I have in a different H3 ), so I always drive in 4H.

Yes - I drive in 4H all the time - mostly local traffic, with alot of stop-&-go. The noise I experienced came from the front, so it does seem to be different than the problem you're having. I hope they're able to figure it out and get it fixed for you. Was the warped rotor a factory defect, or did something happen to cause it to warp? I know that the Hummer dealership here in Virginia Beach is very in-tune with all us Hummer owners, and will do what it takes to fix any problems we have. Good luck!