Differential Unit problems of the 1996 Chevrolet Impala

Transmission differential noise.

Starting in the 1990 model year, gm has been improperly installing differential cover gaskets that do not have the lubricating holes!! if you do not change this gasket to one that has the proper holes, your outer axle bearings, as well as the axles themselves, will be destroyed by around 70k miles. The damaged (under lubricated) bearings will wear grooves in the axle shafts, requiring that they also be replaced. If this is left unchecked, the metal bits from the damaged outer bearings and axles will also damage the inner bearings, pinion bearings, as well as cause the spider gears to wear into the differential carrier. Gm has been made aware of this problem, but currently has done nothing about it. Even the new vehicles still come with the improper gaskets. Factory replacement gaskets also lack the lubricating holes. Gm does not acknowledge that the rear axle gasket has a problem. As a side note, gm full-size light-duty pickups also suffer from this proglem. I feel this problem should be corrected at no expense to the owners. I would assume that should you be traveling at highway speeds and the rear end/axle goes, someone/thing is going to get hurt, not to mention the high expense of the repairs to the vehicle.

General motors have been improperly installing differential cover gaskets that do not have lubricating holes.

Grinding gear sound in rear end-causing auto to pull and jerk.