H3 Hummer H3 Driveline Growl

[jphh20]

I could use some help from the experts as I have been racking my brain trying to diagnose a front end driveline growl on my 06' H3.

Here is a little background on my issue:
-The H3 was playing is water 36-40" @ Rausch Creek yes its Yellow!!!
-Front diff filled with water and burned up. Swapped out with a used 06' front diff assembly w/50K miles???
-Installed with fresh fluids and seals and fluid drained and filled again after 500 miles. (no metal on magnet)

The noise that I am getting is typically when H3 is under power in 4 Hi or 4 Hi Lock and is attenuated turning the wheel left/right (5-10 degrees on steering wheel) while under acceleration. If you take your foot off the accelerator and turn the wheel side to side and the noise is gone. I had first thought that I had a bad wheel bearing or CV Axle however these symptoms do not feel right. I checked out the front drive shaft, removed and check for play and looks fine. Does anyone have a thought how to further diagnose this? Is the used diff that I bought spent?
I am running the original transfer case with plastic fork. No problems to date that I know of but it is a matter of time.

Here are a few of the items that my H3 is running
06' H3 Adventure/Lux Yellow 76k miles
Leveled
35s
Daystar body lift
Scharttzy Shackle Lift
Front Diff Mount upgrade
Steering Rack Upgrade
PCM Tune
Billy Boat Cat Back Exhaust
Trans Cooler Bypass
OEM UCP
Rocky Road Rock Sliders
Driveline fluids changed @ 50k


Joe

 

[Happy Hummer]

Just some thoughts.
Have you checked back differential?
Possibly the front hub?
Mine had a problem and I finally had to pay a shop to find it because it eluded me for a long time.
It was the front passenger hub that was toasted. Even though it was tight when checking each hub.

Chris

 

[alrock]

I'm thinking wheel hub too

 

[jphh20]

Thanks for your comments, now that I think of it when I was off road with it I entered a hole that had quick sand type consistency. It swallowed the front end and the 35s and I had to get strapped out. The sand stuck to my rig like oatmeal and was grinding away through the brake discs. I'm sure I wore out the wheel bearings.


Any recommended brand? I here timken offers a great wheel hub.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[4speedfunk]

Really hard to say for sure. Hubs, axle Cv's, driveshsaft CV, front diff, t-case...could be any of these. At 76K miles...its worth putting some money into the front suspension. Periodic "freshen-up" of the front suspension is key to enjoying your Hummer experience. You may also want to look at ball joints and A-arm bushings. They wouldn't cause the grinding but, they could be toast if the mileage is high (and seen lots of mud duty). Let us know what you find.