Front End Popping... Rough offroad weekend.

[06 H3]

I'm having similar "popping and binding" issues...and I have none of the IFS stuff.

I thought I would mention that t-case issues can also cause noises like this. Mine has become so bad I'm going to pull it out for a rebuild. If I keep driving around with the t-case like this, it will damage the diffs for sure. Several times I have read threads about t-case and diff failures at the same time (trailbreaker)...and I always thought it was strange that a dealer would replace both at the same time. Now that I'm experiencing the t-case problems, I can totally see how it would destroy anything downstream of it. My popping sounds awful, and its not something minor. I'm not saying that's your problem, just saying that noise from the front axle....isn't necessarily the front axle.

Jeez these things (H3's) are a pita to troubleshoot.

We need a thread for this, I am curious what the issue is with the H3 t case. I know you said your fluid was nasty after 40k miles. Would that affect it? So how tough is it for you to put a VSS sensor in an manual shifting gear driven t case? I know its gotta be in the back of your mind. lol

 

[4speedfunk]

06H3...I agree. T-case issues are worthy of their own thread.

I think the most common source of noises have all been discussed here. Diff bushings, rack bushings, skidplates, CV's, ball-joints....yup. All that. I'm jealous because I know my noises are none of those. Its something much more expensive.

 

[5gn-h3t]

There are all kinds of fun noises that a 3 can make. Disclaimer - This is from my personal experience. Your mileage may vary.

This only works if it's an automatic, but...

Put the truck in 4lo. Firmly apply the brakes and slowly give it some throttle.

A really hard sudden bang with no other symptoms is probably the T-bars binding and unloading. If it's suddenly 2wd or 0wd, check further.
A repetitive clicking/banging is probably the T-case
A single bang/click that repeats when shifted from D to R is probably bushing or propshaft related.

Bad steering rack and control arm bushings can be felt through the floor with your right foot while you are driving. This is a very hard thing to describe over the internet but if you think your bushings are bad pay close attention to the vibrations coming through your right foot.

 

[ROM4D]

Thank you for this ^.


So I took her to the dealership two days ago (Figured I'd make use of the warranty) but after looking at everything for a few hours they could only confirm that they heard and felt the popping but couldn't find the source. The popping could for sure be felt in the passenger floor board. The mechanics said they could feel it when they road in it. They checked everything from the hubs, CV's, crossmember bushing etc. They told me that the H3 is in really good shape overall but they needed to get the stethoscope out to dig further to find the issue. Problem was that they said the warranty most likely wouldn't cover it so I just told them to put it all back together.

I think I'm going to try and take a look at the steering components though. As mentioned above I can feel it when turning at almost full lock so it may be in there. The steering has never felt loose though but I guess we will see.

 

[justin94tt]

I had a similar situation, turned out to be the turned out to be the front differential mount on the right side of the truck was completely wore out causing my diff to move around. You need to check both sides mounts.

 

[hodges81]

I have a problem where it makes a horrible sound when shifting into 4low. Not all the time just sometimes.... I had to put it in 4low like 15 times because it wouldn't make the noise and the tech just kept saying,"oh thats normal". Until it made the loud bang then he was like oh thats not normal... The dealership just replaced the shift fork so they're going to tear it down and see whats going on.

If need replaced I was thinking about a selectable 2 wheel / 4 wheel drive hd transfer case.