Front end maintenance blitz:

[lfootmatt]

2008 Alpha, 135K ish miles, 4” Rancho lift with the diff and lower bushings replaced already, mostly desert SW life. Ride is pretty super soft and sloppy due to shot Rancho 4 -way shocks that came either the lift kit, installed when the vehicle was new. What shocks???

I’m doing CV half shafts and power steering rack tie rod boots anyway. What else in the front end should I do while I’m in there? Maintenance and mod suggestions are appreciated. I want to improve performance and durability for running some AZ trails this fall/winter.

Thanks!!!

 

[rascole]

You're coming up on 20 year old wear items so every suspension and driveline component should be inspected in detail. Here is a good thread with many of the parts you'll need.
https://hummer4x4offroad.com/forum/threads/amazon-parts-reference-for-the-h3.10896/

 

[Happy Hummer]

Well last fall I purchased another H3...its an 08 base model. Anyway the previous owner was way ruff and lacking on things, thank God not all things, but enough.
I replaced the entire works up front.

*bump stops
*cv 1/2 shafts
* brakes (rotors, pads, hardware, etc.)
* hubs
* sway bar bushings (these were literally hammered)
I proceed to check every item I could check and tore the front bumper off as well.

 

[alrock]

Are you running the stock steering rack bracket, or an aftermarket one? This is an area for slop and failure.

 

[lfootmatt]

Are you running the stock steering rack bracket, or an aftermarket one? This is an area for slop and failure.

All stock except for the Rancho 4” Lift.

What’s the recommended aftermarket rack bracket?

 

[lfootmatt]

Yeah, the desert has done a number on everything rubber, Bushings, grease boots on most of the front end components are cracked or just shot, probably going to try and do everything to improve the drive-ability.

What shocks are we going with for a Rancho 4” lifted Alpha? I’d like good manners on the trails and some light rock crawling ability.

SAS In the future, just not for a couple of years.