Hi, I just bought a 2008 Hummer h3 at the beginning of February. The truck was level and I wanted to lower it. I gave the torsion bars a couple of turns to lower the front. From the forums, it is suggested to get a wheel alignment after adjusting the torsion bars. Well, I went to Sears to get an alignment done and they told me that my upper control arm and ball joint is bad. I would need to change both sides. I thought I was doing some preventative mainteince by getting it align but bad news is what I got. The previous owner bought new tires for it in January 2010(about a month before I bought the truck from him). He gave me the receipt that shows the new tires, alignment, and the warranty for the tires. If the control arm was bad, wouldn't they have seen it then or did both arms go bad within the month? Also, what are the symptoms of a bad control arm? Actually, the tech told me that the ball joints were bad and to get that replaced, I would have to replace the upper control arm too. Any advice or suggestions?

This is my first hummer and it seems to drive fine to me. The tech told me that he wouldn't even drive it, but I've been driving it for the last month without any problems, that I know of.

As I was standing there, the guy in front of me came in for 2 new tires and they told him that he needed a new tire rod. They would not change only one side so they made him change both. I was thinking that they just wanted the business but the people seem pretty sincere???? What does everyone think?

 

I would go somewhere else and get a 2nd opinion

 

Definitely get a second opinion. Ask them to show you how they are determining that the ball joint is bad, they should be able to show you movement in the ball joint itself, either visually or with a dial indicator. Generally if one side is bad the other is in similar condition, but they don't have to both be replaced if only one is bad. Usually the difference between worn (out of spec) which is where they will recommend replacement, and serious enough to be undriveable is 10's of thousands of miles, so for the tech to tell you that he wouldn't even drive it, I would be suspicious (especially with a receipt showing that an alignment had just been done). Generally with a worn upper ball joint it will cause the top of the tire to lean in when viewed from the front, (out of spec on camber), the H3 does have an adjustment for camber so it is possible to adjust away an out of camber situation to an extent, although I don't know how much and if the ball joint is in fact worn, that is not the correct way to fix it. Just be cautious with any shop that you don't already know to be reputable, as I have run into alot that are more than willing to sell you something that you don't need if they think that you don't know better, and/or let you pay for their diagnostic mistakes etc.

 

thanks for the insight and advice. I'm going to get a second opinion but haven't had the chance to yet. It's hard to find a good shop down here in South Jersey you can trust. I've had bad experiences with the chain stores.

 

I took it to the Dealer this morning and the ball joints are bad. It is still under warranty so they are going to replace it for free. I'm pretty happy!

 

WOW you wore out your uppers? Thats rare. Sears was rite about having to replace the A too. They are pressed into the top but the bottoms can be replaced.... Thats the first time I heard of the top's waring out.

 

From your description, it looks like it could be a bad bushing from your control arm kit and looks like your steering rack/gear has been failed. Try to check your wirings.

 

I had a loud clunking noise on the right side in the front. Figured it might be a ball joint. Took it to dealer and they replaced upper control arm and ball joints on both sides and then did the alignment. All under warranty...H3 2007..

 

Same problem on my '07. Firestone wouldn't align it. Took it to the dealer and they said nothing wrong with ball joint and I paid them to do an alignment. Tires wore badly and when I replaced the tires and went back to a different Firestone to have a new alignment done, they told me I had a bad ball joint! They even showed me the play in the suspension.
Had a few choice words for the dealer......

 

I sometimes wonder is and no DISRESPECT to Dealers but some do it for the money and some because they love the job still.

1 I use to use would remove stuff and not say anything till I would get home and then drive back to dealer and FREAK at them stealing part's off the H3, and they would even admit it????

The one I deal with now I think it's because they love the job or career their in!

But coming here it's better as alot of input comes in from many different angles and you have to like that!!

Later
Rob