H2 Preventative Maintenance Advice

[Khamul]

Hey There,



Just thought I would share some advice that I found out the hard way....



I own a 2008 H2 and on our last trail run, I had my differential carriage bolt fail. I believe that is the name of it. It is on the passenger side of the differential, on the top right before where the drive shaft attaches.

Now this is not a bolt that should ever fail but yet mine did causing the differential to drop and the resulting change in angle caused the drive shaft to litterally explode!

I am not sure if this is the same on the 07 and older models, Kevin may be able to shed some lite on that, but I would advise everyone with an 08 or newer to inspect this bolt, and may not be a bad idea to replace it. Mine may have been a total fluke but I question the quality of the bolt that was in there originally. I have since installed the beefiest tempered bolt I could find to ensure this never happens again.



I took apicture but unfortunately I can't upload it due to being at my maximum upload data restriction But it's pretty obvious to find.

[dwaxman1]

[quote name='Khamul' date='11 August 2010 - 12:29 AM' timestamp='1281500954' post='20095']

Hey There,



Just thought I would share some advice that I found out the hard way....



I own a 2008 H2 and on our last trail run, I had my differential carriage bolt fail. I believe that is the name of it. It is on the passenger side of the differential, on the top right before where the drive shaft attaches.

Now this is not a bolt that should ever fail but yet mine did causing the differential to drop and the resulting change in angle caused the drive shaft to litterally explode!

I am not sure if this is the same on the 07 and older models, Kevin may be able to shed some lite on that, but I would advise everyone with an 08 or newer to inspect this bolt, and may not be a bad idea to replace it. Mine may have been a total fluke but I question the quality of the bolt that was in there originally. I have since installed the beefiest tempered bolt I could find to ensure this never happens again.



I took apicture but unfortunately I can't upload it due to being at my maximum upload data restriction But it's pretty obvious to find.

[/quote]



there is no restriction in place..not sure what the issue is, please email me the photo so I can validate..



thanks



Derek

[doubletrouble]

Any more info on this? Front diff or rear diff? I have an 03 and if this let go on a 08 I would like to repace mine on my 03 before it lets go if it's a week point.





Derek <img src='http://www.canadianhummerclub.com/forum ... >/wink.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=';)' />

[JL]

This was on the front diff, and what a nightmare it was! Not sure how much of a real worry this is since it did seem pretty flukey and haven't heard of it happening before... but easy enough to change out so might be good piece of mind. The hard part will be finding a suitably durable bolt as anything below factory grade will bend and break under the stress! This is one of those applications where the correct grade of bolt is critical so just be sure you're getting a suitable replacement...

[doubletrouble]

[quote name='JL' timestamp='1301368933' post='26425']

This was on the front diff, and what a nightmare it was! Not sure how much of a real worry this is since it did seem pretty flukey and haven't heard of it happening before... but easy enough to change out so might be good piece of mind. The hard part will be finding a suitably durable bolt as anything below factory grade will bend and break under the stress! This is one of those applications where the correct grade of bolt is critical so just be sure you're getting a suitable replacement...

[/quote]



ok cool, thanks! i'm going to check them out tommorow at work and just order new oem ones. did it show any wear once it was off....broken? rust wear / rotten or was it just sheared off....clean break <img src='http://www.canadianhummerclub.com/forum ... estion.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':?:' />

[JL]

I didn't actually see it first hand that day but I believe it just snapped?? Do you remember Dave what happened to that thing??

[Khamul]

Never did find the pieces but I believe it just snapped! I keep forgetting to take a picture as I can't find the first one I took on the computer, I'll do that tomorrow and post it so you can see where it is. I do know E-Mortal put a monster of a bolt in to replace.



But, having said that - I don;t know if the set-up changed for 2008, but Karl had the same issue on his 2005 with his bolt snapping but it was in a different location. So I will do my best to crawl under there and get pics as that's 2 of us that has had it happen...

[doubletrouble]

[quote name='Khamul' timestamp='1301459308' post='26454']

Never did find the pieces but I believe it just snapped! I keep forgetting to take a picture as I can't find the first one I took on the computer, I'll do that tomorrow and post it so you can see where it is. I do know E-Mortal put a monster of a bolt in to replace.



But, having said that - I don;t know if the set-up changed for 2008, but Karl had the same issue on his 2005 with his bolt snapping but it was in a different location. So I will do my best to crawl under there and get pics as that's 2 of us that has had it happen...

[/quote]





that would be great! <img src='http://www.canadianhummerclub.com/forum ... ght_on.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':right_on:' />



I put it up on the hoist today and they all "looked" ok. but if there has been 2 now.. <img src='http://www.canadianhummerclub.com/forum ... ngHead.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':banghead:' />

[JL]

Ah yes but I remember Karl also had his diff replaced and the shop used a substandard bolt as they did not have the correct application... I did see that bolt and it was a nice curved shape... didn't break but definitely would have in my opinion! He was just waiting for the right bolt to arrive and did a temporary fix so the vehicle was drivable, didn't last too long with the wrong one!

[Khamul]

True - but it did break in the first place though in Racehorse creek...



Here is a picture of the carriage bolt... bear in mind this is upside down...

1.JPG

If I have my names right - the black is the differential output shaft, the passenger drive shaft bolts onto that.