No drive

[hummedout]

I've read n still confused,
Was driving and heard something break n now no drive in any gear or any mode.
It seems it moves through gears n modes fine but no movement of h3.
I do see front driveshaft spinning when in drive and reverse.
Just bought the damn thing ,it lasted two days.
Did notice when turning sharp at slow speed it was binding up,before the break anyway.
What test can I do to find culprit?
I read I could put it in hi lock and have maybe rear drive but it does notta.
I can hear tc going in all modes but no drive.front driveshaft spins when I go into reverse then the other way into drive,then go to park and it clicks rapidly till ds stops spinning and is in park.
If front cv axle broke will it do this?
Why can't I get rear driveshaft to move!
Never had 4wd issues with my vehicles,a jeep and a z71.
Like the hummer but now bummed out on it

 

[Happy Hummer]

My gut feeling is the t-case took a dump. You'll need to split it and look inside.

 

[hummedout]

My gut feeling is the t-case took a dump. You'll need to split it and look inside.

If tc was bad would front driveshaft spin?
When car is off I can put it in neutral and turn front driveshaft by hand,
Figured it would not turn if wheels were on ground

 

[hummedout]

If tc was bad would front driveshaft spin?
When car is off I can put it in neutral and turn front driveshaft by hand,
Figured it would not turn if wheels were on ground

My luck I have two problems,rear drive shaft not turning because of tc.and front shaft spins with no car movement cause front differential broke.

 

[alrock]

I think it's a likely a broken front diff, especially since you say it was binding when turning before. When you put it in 4WD lock, how did you do it? To get it to work properly for this situation, turn off the truck. Then turn the ignition on but do not start. Put it in 4WD Hi Lock, then start the truck. Try driving again. If you're able to move, it's more than likely the front diff. It it won't, then transfer case is likely.

The binding when turning typically happens for one of two reasons: the 4WD drive mode is either 4 Hi Lock or 4 low lock, or the front diff is broken. Many a driver has abused a front diff by doing this, regardless of vehicle make. Sorry to hear of your troubles.

 

[hummedout]

I think it's a likely a broken front diff, especially since you say it was binding when turning before. When you put it in 4WD lock, how did you do it? To get it to work properly for this situation, turn off the truck. Then turn the ignition on but do not start. Put it in 4WD Hi Lock, then start the truck. Try driving again. If you're able to move, it's more than likely the front diff. It it won't, then transfer case is likely.

The binding when turning typically happens for one of two reasons: the 4WD drive mode is either 4 Hi Lock or 4 low lock, or the front diff is broken. Many a driver has abused a front diff by doing this, regardless of vehicle make. Sorry to hear of your troubles.

I did the key on n then to hillock,no dice does nothing but spin the front driveshaft.
Still confused how front driveshaft spins but no tire movement,is diff and tc screws or could this be a broke cv?

 

[alrock]

If it's has successfully switched to 4 Hi Lock, it's not a CV as the rear wheels would drive the vehicle forward. Plus you mentioned you can spin the front driveshaft by hand (and I'm assuming you're talking the prop shaft from the transfer case to the front diff) that means there's zero engagement between the wheels and the transfer case. Four things can be broken - CV (but I think that's ruled out), front diff, transfer case, and CV joint on prop shaft.

But if you successfully engaged 4 Hi Lock, then it would move forward even if you had a bad CV, front diff or prop shaft. I ran two months without a front diff (or CV axles or front prop shaft) in my H3 by keeping it in 4 Hi Lock. In other words, those components are not needed to drive in 4 Hi Lock.

If you want to troubleshoot this, remove the front prop shaft. That will tell you if it's a front end issue. It's easy to remove.

 

[Happy Hummer]

Use wheel blocks because wheels will move with front ds out.

 

[EndeavoredH3]

Sounds like tcase is transferring power to the front driveline. But if the differential pinion is spinning with tires on the ground… sounds like 1 of 3 things that have already been stated:
-failed Cv axle
-failed intermediate shaft
-failed differential

The way to verify it’s not the tcase is to do what others said and switch the drive mode to 4 hi LOCK.

 

[hummedout]

Sounds like tcase is transferring power to the front driveline. But if the differential pinion is spinning with tires on the ground… sounds like 1 of 3 things that have already been stated:
-failed Cv axle
-failed intermediate shaft
-failed differential

The way to verify it’s not the tcase is to do what others said and switch the drive mode to 4 hi LOCK.

Thanks guys,first awd and it's slightly complicated,
So rule out broken fork in t case? If I'm hearing all this correct I have 2 problems,one in front diff,one in tc affecting rear drive.
40 mph,bang,feels like neutral in everymode every gear
Ohh when I towed it I put it in neutral the tc and gearshift too,it was off n on with some grinding noise,wasn't loud but could hear something broke.

 

[rascole]

Drain the front diff, easy and cheap. If there are chunks of steel that might be your answer.

 

[hummedout]

Drain the front diff, easy and cheap. If there are chunks of steel that might be your answer.

Ok I drained front diff,there was a few metal pieces on drain bolt and maybe 2 tablespoons of black black lubricant.

What's my next step?
I promise you won't have to spoonfeed me but once

 

[hummedout]

Ok I drained front diff,there was a few metal pieces on drain bolt and maybe 2 tablespoons of black black lubricant.

What's my next step?
I promise you won't have to spoonfeed me but once

I don't know why I like this thing but I do, can't wait till it drives right.

 

[hummedout]

I don't know why I like this thing but I do, can't wait till it drives right.

Another clue,my ride freewheels in park,without parking brake it rolls like in neutral

 

[hummedout]

Another clue,my ride freewheels in park,without parking brake it rolls like in neutral

Can tc shifting fork allow this if broke?

 

[alrock]

For the metal pieces in the front diff, can you describe them? Were they tiny slivers, like shavings, or 3 dimensional pieces that looked like they broke off something?

Wait, there was 2 tablespoons of oil in the front diff??? There should be about a quart and a half! Makes me wonder if all of the oil went out of the pinion seal and the pinion gear is essentially missed or shaved down to nothing. Do you have signs of oil leaks at the pinion seal (where the propshaft enters the diff) or at either axle?

I would highly recommend taking off the diff cover and inspecting the internals. Take pics and share them here. But it also would not surprise me if you had two or more issues. Have you tried draining the transfer case fluid?

 

[hummedout]

Can tc shifting fork allow this if broke?

For the metal pieces in the front diff, can you describe them? Were they tiny slivers, like shavings, or 3 dimensional pieces that looked like they broke off something?

Wait, there was 2 tablespoons of oil in the front diff??? There should be about a quart and a half! Makes me wonder if all of the oil went out of the pinion seal and the pinion gear is essentially missed or shaved down to nothing. Do you have signs of oil leaks at the pinion seal (where the propshaft enters the diff) or at either axle?

I would highly recommend taking off the diff cover and inspecting the internals. Take pics and share them here. But it also would not surprise me if you had two or more issues. Have you tried draining the transfer case fluid?

I had to get it towed by the second day I had it,on her ghway n outta nowhere saw that I was blowing a smoke screen all behind me,some kinda fluid was dripping bad onto exhaust,I cleaned it all up n couldn't find the leak,next day bam lost drive.

 

[alrock]

If you only got 2 tablespoons of gear oil from the differential, it's a clear sign that it's bad. This is where you must start. If the gears are so broken that there's no connection from the propshaft to the CV axles, your vehicle can move in Park. It's not a sign of a bad shift fork.

But, while you're diagnosing everything, I would drain that transfer case. If it's red - great. Dark - fine. Color of Terminator when he's melted out across the factory floor - bad.

 

[hummedout]

There was just a few slivers,fingernail clipping shaped but not a lot,I'm sure that was front differential fluid that smoked out on exhaust the nite before it broke.so I'm going to take the tc fluid out n look at it.
What if the tc hung in neutral for whatever reason?
I have been switching modes a lot and sounds flaahs a few times n goes solid in every mode no service errors,I mean wtf is the rear not moving? In any mode?
Tc spinning front shaft,no damn movement,
In every mode n reverse?
Had a friend pull me home in neutral in tranny n tc!
I could here something spinning and it tapping something broken but not no clanky chunks

 

[Happy Hummer]

Okay slow down here... lol!
Lets start at the beginning shall we?
1st did the front diff have fluid (amounting to multiple ounces/qts)?
2nd did the t-case have fluid (ditto)?
That's all we need to know!
If either were empty or way low DO NOT PASS GO.... oh and you will be paying not getting hundreds lol!

 

[alrock]

As he said, fix the one obvious problem before you start trying to guess if there are other issues.

If you don't like that advice, well go ahead and pull down the transfer case and tear it apart - it appears you're convinced that's a problem. I have a feeling that no matter what we say you're going to keep going back to it. You're still going to have to fix the diff.

 

[4speedfunk]

Sounds like the front diff is smoked...or possibly a CV shaft. Drain the fluid and look for chunks or shavings on the magnetic drain plug.

The H3 is a full-time 4WD, and therefore both driveshafts spin all the time. In 4WD-Street mode, the transfer case will send the power to axle with the LEAST amount of resistance. In your case...that would be the front axle (broken = no resistance). If the front driveshaft spins, and the vehicle does not move...then the problem is definitely downstream of the transfer case (in the front axle somewhere). What you say is true. You should be able to shift to 4HI-lock mode and at least move the vehicle. But that can sometimes be difficult to do with a broken front axle. That grinding you describe when going into PARK is because the front driveshaft is free-spinning. You need to shut the vehicle off to shift transfer case modes!!! The t-case requires some time to engage...it is not instant. Try rolling the vehicle very slowly (under 2mph), with the motor off, ignition on...and press the 4HI-Lock button. This should engage the 4HI-Lock mode and send power to the rear axle. DO NOT attempt to put the trans into park in 4WD-Street mode...that grinding sound is the PARK pawl. If you continue to do this you will need transmission repair.

I currently have a used drop-out front axle in perfect condition. Its aluminum case, single-track, 4.56 geared. 155k miles. No issues...plug & play. $550 plus shipping.

 

[hummedout]

Took the encoder motor off, couldn't feel any change when I was turning the shaft,till I tried to rotate rear driveshaft then it changed and when I try n turn it it is rotating the front as well,
Soon as my keys get back I'ma see if it drives.
Still have issue with front diff but if this knocks tc being fried it's a good thing,I will check tc fluid this evening before I drive,I think the mofo was in neutral for motor,fork??something had it stuck
Member this is a 215000 vehicle.

 

[hummedout]

I'll be damn,I studied the rotation of encoder motor when switching 4wheel modes and put it in regular 4,and the fucker has drive,so then tried to install motor back on and when I started it no drive again,took it off again,rotated it counter clockwise and I have drive again.
I still believe I have front diff issues but hey it's moving.
May add some diff fluid and drive around block,is this bad? I left encoder off till I know how to calibrate it on reinstall

 

[hummedout]

All I'm convinced about is that something is broke,
How did I remove the encoder motor ,turn the shaft counter clockwise and no I have drive,scared to drive around block till I add diff fluid to front and check tc fluid.it doesn't roll in park now and assume it's in reg 4 hi,
I'm here to learn not dispute
Thanks alot for whoever is replying on experience or knowledge,
Yes it had all of three tablespoons of fluid in front,a couple shavings like clipped fingernails on the mag plug for diff.
So yes I'm wanting to learn how this thing works and operates,like it ,don't know why yet but want it to be my daily driver.