Finally have found the problem...need some advice

[H2-Canuck]

Okay so I took the H2 to a transmission shop and they found the front axle which connects to the front differential shaft was real loose and easy to move. They told me the seal that connects the 2 is no good. Also they drained the front differential and it contained maybe half a cup of oil and said it must have leaked out of the seal that is broken and the used dealership must have sprayed underneath and cleaned off the leaked oil and that's why I couldn't see any leakage It was about 5months ago when I bought the hummer and the noise slowly got worse as the time went by. But no mechanic could figure out what was going on. So they want to replace the whole drive shaft and open up the front differential to see if there is damage. I saw the oil they drained and there was no metal pieces ,could the diff be okay and they are just trying to make money off me, or is it a good idea to check it since the oil was so low for so long??
$80per hour and they said it will take 7-10hours to open up and look at the guts..
Please what do you think I should do??
Thanks to anyone who helps

 

[LagunaH1]

I'm sure some of the more mechanically inclined guys will chime in soon but:

-That was an *awfully* small amount of oil they drained from the diff
-Opening the diff and doing a cursory inspection is probably a good idea given how long it's run with little to no oil in the diff
-I don't know enough about differentials to know who long it *should* take to inspect one.
-My gut reaction is that 7-10 hours is the amount of time it might take to *completely* disassemble the diff in its entirety and rebuild whatever they find

 

[autumn walker]

7-10 hours sounds a bit long... they need to drop the skid plates and open up the differential cover, shouldn't take that long IMO. IMO it is a good idea to have them look at the guts - you were WAY low on fluid and you never know what might be done to it.

What is a "front driveshaft axle"? It is common for the inner axle seals to let go on these trucks (and other HD GM's). I changed my driver's side inner axle seal in about an hour and it was the first time I had ever taken it apart.

 

[H2-Canuck]

Bud if I knew anything about vehicles I would not be wasting my time in a forum on a Saturday night :gaah:. All I know is the axle or shaft whatever the name of it is. On 1 end of it is the rubber cv boot and the opposite end connects and bolts to another axle which the mechanic said connects to the front differential. The mechanic could shake it tons and said I need the whole axle taken out and replaced and whatever seals need replacing. Plus take apart the front diff, and inspect it. The owner just threw out some numbers for cost and said the axle would be $700 for the part and about 7 hours to take the diff apart and inspect. So they haven't done anything yet because it was on a Friday so I don't know all the details, I just wanted to hear what I should maybe do. I guess on Monday I'll get the exact bad news.:shame:

 

[H2-Canuck]

I'm sure some of the more mechanically inclined guys will chime in soon but:

-That was an *awfully* small amount of oil they drained from the diff
-Opening the diff and doing a cursory inspection is probably a good idea given how long it's run with little to no oil in the diff
-I don't know enough about differentials to know who long it *should* take to inspect one.
-My gut reaction is that 7-10 hours is the amount of time it might take to *completely* disassemble the diff in its entirety and rebuild whatever they find

Thanks Laguna

 

[Zach]

Sounds like they are talking about the front prop shaft. The front diff has no cover and would have to come out. Having no metal shaving in the fluid is good. But there could be heat ware on the gears and bearings Dropping the front diff and breaking it apart is an involved job. From the sounds of it, the time quoted doesn't seem to far out of line

 

[LagunaH1]

The front diff has no cover and would have to come out.

Ah, did not know that. In that case their estimate makes a lot more sense.

 

[H2-Canuck]

Sounds like they are talking about the front prop shaft. The front diff has no cover and would have to come out. Having no metal shaving in the fluid is good. But there could be heat ware on the gears and bearings Dropping the front diff and breaking it apart is an involved job. From the sounds of it, the time quoted doesn't seem to far out of line

Thanks for your info Zach.

 

[autumn walker]

Ah, did not know that. In that case their estimate makes a lot more sense.

agreed.

 

[autumn walker]

Does the part they are talking about have two rubber boots on it? Something like this:

Goes from front differential out to the tire?

 

[H2-Canuck]

Does the part they are talking about have two rubber boots on it? Something like this:

Goes from front differential out to the tire?[/QUO
Close...If you continue on to the right of your photo, the bar continues on about 3 feet and bolts on to another bar which connects to the front differential. Is your photo the left or the right side?
I'm standing toward engine and it's on my left the bad side.
Thanks

 

[H2-Canuck]

Goes from front differential out to the tire?

Yes the part from the front differential out to the tire, it was so loose and buddy could shake it easily. They said thats where all the fluid came out from the bad seal. When he showed me where the seal is located, i
couldn't see any leaked oil.

 

[autumn walker]

So it's your passenger side axle shaft / inner axle seal that is the problem. Unfortunately, that is the "hard" side to fix. I did the driver's side in mine in about an hour - first time I had ever done anything like it. My understanding is the passenger side is a bit more involved.

Not sure why the axle shaft would be loose though - the seal is pretty cheap (I think it's under $50) and you do not need to pull the diff apart to change it; however, you would need to split the diff to inspect the internals for any damage.

 

[H2-Canuck]

Okay so my transmission guy called and said there is no bearing in the shaft, wherever the Hummer was built G.M forget to put the bearing in. The mechanic said it is the first time the shafts been looked at since it was built..unreal the cost is close to 1800$ to finish the work..$700 for the one shaft and 300$ for the other and the differential is still good thank god .This sucks I'm passed warranty but is there anything I can do?

 

[deserth3]

Though the truck was sold and usually warranted by GM. It was built by AM General. if your mechanic is willing to sign a statement of what he found. I'd call AM General directly and have a talk with someone. Trying to get them to pay for it. If that doesn't work get a lawyer.



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[H2-Canuck]

Well i got the final bill
$425-to look at front diff (5) hours labour
$255-replace-L&R front axles (right front axle was missing support bearing
$295-axle shaft
$51-seal
$739-axle shaft
$113-bearing
$47-oil
$10-disposal
=$1937.28+$251hst=$2189
And the woom sound in the left front is still there..
I give up

 

[3Hummers]

Damn, stuff is expensive in Canada.

 

[autumn walker]

Well i got the final bill
$425-to look at front diff (5) hours labour
$255-replace-L&R front axles (right front axle was missing support bearing
$295-axle shaft
$51-seal
$739-axle shaft
$113-bearing
$47-oil
$10-disposal
=$1937.28+$251hst=$2189
And the woom sound in the left front is still there..
I give up

Ugh - on the bright side, sounds like you basically have a new front end.

What is the "woom" sound you speak of? Any chance it is simply the tires?

 

[autumn walker]

Damn, stuff is expensive in Canada.

Yes, it is crazy how expensive it is.