Hummer H2. Manual - part 2187

Tools Required 

J 8001 Dial Indicator Set 

Upper Ball Joint Inspection 

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.  

2. With the wheel and tire on the vehicle, lift the suspension corner by hand to determine if any looseness is 

present. If vertical free play is experienced proceed with the following instructions.  

3. Remove the wheel and tire. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.  

4. Support the lower control arm with a floor stand or jack, as far outboard as possible.  

5. If a seal is cut or torn, replace the ball joint.  

6. Clean and inspect the ball joint seals for cuts or tears. If the ball joint seals are damaged, replace the ball 

joint. Refer to Upper Control Arm Replacement in Front Suspension.  

7. Check the wheel bearing for looseness in the wheel bearing is present, refer to Wheel Bearings 

Diagnosis .  

8. Check the upper ball joint for vertical looseness.  

9. Remove the lower shock absorber mounting bolt. This will ensure that the suspension is unloaded.  

10. Install and position the dial indicator from J 8001 against the rim of the upper ball joint. 

 

2004 Hummer H2 

2004 SUSPENSION Suspension General Diagnosis - Hummer H2

  

Fig. 2: Installing & Positioning Dial Indicator From J8001 Against Rim Of Upper Ball Joint 
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP. 

11. Apply downward force to the upper control arm and zero the indicator pointer/pad against the rim of the 

upper ball joint.  

12. Release the arm and check the dial indicator. The dial indicator reading should be no more than 2 mm 

(0.079 in). If the reading is too high, replace the upper control arm. Refer to Upper Control Arm 
Replacement in Front Suspension.  

STRUTS OR SHOCK ABSORBERS ON-VEHICLE TESTING 

Struts or Shock Absorbers On-Vehicle Testing 

Step

Action

Yes

No

1

Did you review the General Description and perform the 
necessary inspections?

Go to 

Step 2

Go to Symptoms - 

Suspension General 

Diagnosis

2

Verify that the customer's concern is present. 

System 

 

2004 Hummer H2 

2004 SUSPENSION Suspension General Diagnosis - Hummer H2

  

WHEEL BEARINGS DIAGNOSIS 

Wheel Bearings Diagnosis 

Does the vehicle operate normally?

OK

Go to Step 3

3

Inspect each shock absorber for external fluid leakage.Is a strut 
or shock absorber leaking?

IMPORTANT:

A light film of oil on the top portion of the shock reservoir is 
normal.

Go to 

Step 5

Go to Step 4

4

1. Use your hands in order to lift up and push down each 

corner of the vehicle 3 times.  

2. Remove your hands from the vehicle.  

3. Locate a shock or strut that exceeds 2 cycles.  

Did you locate shock or strut that exceeds 2 cycles?

Go to 

Step 5

Go to Step 6

5

Replace the shock absorber. Refer to Shock Absorber 
Replacement in Front Suspension or Shock Absorber 
Replacement in Rear Suspension.Did you complete the repair?

IMPORTANT:

Inspect the vehicle trim height in order to correct any 
possible causes of shock/strut failures. Refer to Trim Height 
Inspection Procedure .

Go to 

Step 6

-

6

Operate the vehicle in order to verify the repair. 
Did you correct the condition?

System 

OK

Go to Step 3

Step

Action

Values

Yes

No

1

Did you review the General Description and perform 
the necessary inspections?

-

Go to 

Step 2

Go to Symptoms - 

Suspension General 

Diagnosis

2

Road test the vehicle in order to verify the customer's 
complaint. 
Does the vehicle operate normally?

-

System 

OK

Go to Step 3

3

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting 

and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information. 

2. Inspect for tire or wheel damage. Refer to Tire 

and Wheel Assembly Runout Measurement - 
On-Vehicle in Vibration Diagnosis and 
Correction.  

Did you find and correct the condition?

-

Go to 

Step 7

Go to Step 4

1. Install the J 39570 chassis ear.  

 

2004 Hummer H2 

2004 SUSPENSION Suspension General Diagnosis - Hummer H2

  

TRIM HEIGHT INSPECTION PROCEDURE 

Trim Height Measurements 

Trim height is a predetermined measurement relating to vehicle ride height. Incorrect trim heights can cause 
bottoming out over bumps, damage to the suspension components and symptoms similar to wheel alignment 
problems. Check the trim heights when diagnosing suspension concerns and before checking the wheel 
alignment. 

Perform the following before measuring the trim heights: 

1. Set the tire pressures to the pressure shown on the certification label. Refer to Label - Vehicle 

Certification (w/o RPO Z49) or Label - Vehicle Certification (w/RPO Z49) in General Information. 

4

2. Road test the vehicle to verify the location of the 

wheel bearing noise.  

Did you locate the source of the wheel bearing noise?

-

Go to 

Step 6

Go to Step 5

5

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting 

and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information. 

2. Remove the wheel and tire. Refer to Tire and 

Wheel Removal and Installation  

3. Mount and secure the J 8001 to the steering 

knuckle.  

4. Firmly push the hub flange towards the vehicle.  

5. Ensure that the J 8001 contacts the vertical 

surface of the hub flange as close as possible to 
the center of the flange.  

6. Firmly pull the hub flange away from the vehicle. 

7. Inspect the total movement indicated by the J 

8001 .  

Is the measurement greater then the specified value?

IMPORTANT:

If you are inspecting the FRONT wheel 
bearing/hub, support the front of the vehicle 
by the lower control arms in order to load the 
lower ball joint.

0.051 mm 

(0.002 in)

Go to 

Step 6

System OK

6

Replace the wheel bearing. Refer to Wheel Hub, 
Bearing, and Seal Replacement in Front Suspension.
Did you complete the repair?

-

Go to 

Step 7

-

7

Road test the vehicle to verify the repair. 
Does the vehicle operate normally?

-

System 

OK

Go to Step 3

 

2004 Hummer H2 

2004 SUSPENSION Suspension General Diagnosis - Hummer H2