H2 items to know when shopping

[alrock]

A friend of Bigunit's was curious as to which he should get if he were to get a HUMMER, H2 or H3. I know a lot of the pros and cons with comfort, mpg, etc. but what I don't know as well is the maintenance on H2s. What I seem to hear the most is to look at the following on H2s:

(Please correct any of my assumptions)
Mirrors: you want 06 (or is it 05) and newers as the old ones tended to break.
Rear suspension airbags, if equipped: Something to keep an eye on maintenance-wise
Front suspension: This seems to be the biggest issue, that parts seems to wear significantly on this whether an on road or off-road vehicle. Worn bushings, etc. create sloppy steering and handling.

What are the other concerns in shopping for an H2, and are the ones I listed valid?

 

[Chastan]

A friend of Bigunit's was curious as to which he should get if he were to get a HUMMER, H2 or H3. I know a lot of the pros and cons with comfort, mpg, etc. but what I don't know as well is the maintenance on H2s. What I seem to hear the most is to look at the following on H2s:

(Please correct any of my assumptions)
Mirrors: you want 06 (or is it 05) and newers as the old ones tended to break. Yes '06 you can tell they have the two tone look of a chrome band with logo black above and below.
Rear suspension airbags, if equipped: Something to keep an eye on maintenance-wise
Front suspension: This seems to be the biggest issue, that parts seems to wear significantly on this whether an on road or off-road vehicle. Worn bushings, etc. create sloppy steering and handling.

What are the other concerns in shopping for an H2, and are the ones I listed valid?
Rust on rear bumper around where Tow Hooks mounted
Wind noise from windshield edge by A pilars and front glass (easy fix)
radio button wear. Can buy just the replacement buttons
Second Generation of spare tire swing is much better (I think those started in '06?)
rusting out front hood wires that hold hood when open (they used steel not stainless then wrapped in a rubber so water gets in there bad)
Springs on front hood hing not broken
Driver seat back support air "pump" working all 4 directions
caps at end of roof rails (easily go missing)
2nd generation headrest DVD (where dvd goes behind screen not in player mounted in center console)
fake chrome pealing off outdie door handle plastic
seat memory working properly for "user#1" and "user #2" Should be tied to remotes as well.
Rust on running board mounting brackets
6 CD version loads and unloads cd's properly


I reserve the righ to add more later...

 

[MuDnYrI]

(Please correct any of my assumptions)
rusting out front hood wires that hold hood when open (they used steel not stainless then wrapped in a rubber so water gets in there bad)

If you simply remove the rubber then it won't hold the water. I removed the rubber a few years ago and no rust has formed to date.

 

[Zach]

The only real problems that I've had with my H2 are
Mirrors were upgraded due to someone knocking off my drivers side
Single stage rear compressor replaced with dual stage
Replaced rear air bags under warranty, they weren't bad yet though
Passenger side temp valve
Suspension
Idler and pitman arm. Put the Cognito support kit on and no problems
Tie rods worn out, upgraded to Cognito the to Rare parts. No problems now
Front hubs, replaced twice. First at 80k. The last set lasted just under 50K. 37"s take a toll on them. And water as I have learned. The last ones, I grenaded.

Other than that, Have had no problems at all. Most of this stuff is common though

 

[MaxPF]

Unit bearings just plain suck. The bearings are too close together and the design puts a lot more load on them than what the bearings in conventional spindle & hub setups see. I have over 200k miles on my front wheel bearings, and they will probably last a half million miles as long as I grease em every couple years. Unit bearings are yet another cost-cutting design by the OE's, who dont care that the owner will have to replace them every 100k (or less) miles at $200+ a piece

OK, end rant

 

[Chastan]

If you simply remove the rubber then it won't hold the water. I removed the rubber a few years ago and no rust has formed to date.

Well that is a great idea. You could have let me know before they rusted out all the way!!

 

[mightyepp]

Newer side mirrors look better. But if you want to black them out, the older style is easier since it's one piece. Rear airbags are nice, but there is maintenance issues. I had to replace my 03 airbags. I would recommend springs if offroading.Front suspension maintenance: I would replace all the OEM parts with stronger aftermarket parts if offroading. There are plenty of options and quality parts out there. Other problems: rusting issues, sealing required to prevent or stop minor leaks, quick fix to stop wind noise, and hard to find OEM parts. But with these issues, I'm happy with my H2 and it serves me well as an offroad and onroad option. I don't fear any road conditions or what mother nature throws at me.

 

[Fish]

So far I havent had too many problems, but my 05 only has about 44k miles on it. I recently replaced my pitman and idler arm which were worn out, and my belts looked good but were squeaking like crazy so new belts fixed that. My air bags and compressor are still good, I have the old style mirrors but they work fine..No leaks or rust issues but I think that depends on where you live, not much rain out here..

And I probably just jinxed myself, I'm gonna go home and see my rear end sitting on the bump stops and mirrors that wont fold in :no:

 

[RuggedH2]

Good to see ya here Fish.