GRINDING AND/OR GROWLING NOISE IN PARK ON INCLINE. Pontiac Bonneville 1994

SUBJECT: GRINDING AND/OR GROWLING NOISE IN PARK ON INCLINE

MODELS: 1992-95 BUICK CENTURY, PARK AVENUE, LESABRE, SKYLARK, REGAL 1992-93 BUICK RIVERIA 1992-95 CHEVROLET CAVALIER, BERETTA, CORSICA, LUMINA, LUMINA APV 1992-95 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS CIERA, NINETY EIGHT, EIGHTY EIGHT, CUTLASS SUPREME, SILHOUETTE 1992-95 OLDSMOBILE ACHIEVA 1992 OLDSMOBILE TORONADO 1992-95 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE, GRAND AM, GRAND PRIX, TRANS SPORT 1992-94 PONTIAC SUNBIRD 1995 PONTIAC SUNFIRE WITH HYDRA-MATIC 3T40 (RPO MD9), 4T60 (RPO ME9), OR 4T60-E (RPO M13) TRANSAXLES

OWNERS OF SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HYDRA-MATIC 3T40, 4T60,OR 4T60-E TRANSAXLES MAY COMMENT ON A GRINDING AND/OR GROWLING NOISE THAT IS NOTICEABLE WHEN STANDING IN "PARK" ON A HILL OR SLOPE WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING AND THE PARKING BRAKE NOT APPLIED. UNDER THESE CONDITIONS, THE WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE PUTS A LOAD ON THE PARKING PAWL WHICH CAN CREATE A "GROUND-OUT" PATH THROUGH THE DRIVE AXLES FRONT STRUTS, SPRINGS AND SPRING TOWERS. NORMAL ENGINE NOISE CAN BE TRANSMITTED TO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT THROUGH THE "GROUND- OUT" PATH.

OWNERS CONCERNED ABOUT THIS CONDITION SHOULD BE ADVISED TO APPLY THE PARKING BRAKE PRIOR TO SHIFTING INTO "PARK". THIS IS THE RECOMMENDED PROCEDURE DESCRIBED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. APPLYING THE PARKING BRAKE FIRST WILL PUT THE LOAD OF THE VEHICLE ON THE REAR BRAKES RATHER THAN ON THE PARKING PAWL.

REFER THE OWNER TO THE APPROPRIATE OWNER'S MANUAL FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS AND INSTRUCTIONS.

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GENERAL MOTORS BULLETINS ARE INTENDED FOR USE BY PROFESSIONAL TECHNICIANS, NOT A "DO-IT-YOURSELFER". THEY ARE WRITTEN TO INFORM THOSE TECHNICIANS OF CONDITIONS THAT MAY OCCUR ON SOME VEHICLES, OR TO PROVIDE INFORMATION THAT COULD ASSIST IN THE PROPER SERVICE OF A VEHICLE. PROPERLY TRAINED TECHNICIANS HAVE THE EQUIPMENT, TOOLS, SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS AND KNOW-HOW TO DO A JOB PROPERLY AND SAFELY. IF A CONDITION IS DESCRIBED, DO NOT ASSUME THAT THE BULLETIN APPLIES TO YOUR VEHICLE, OR THAT YOUR VEHICLE WILL HAVE THAT CONDITION. SEE A GENERAL MOTORS DEALER SERVICING YOUR BRAND OF GENERAL MOTORS VEHICLE FOR INFORMATION ON WHETHER YOUR VEHICLE MAY BENEFIT FROM THE INFORMATION.