I had the same front tire problems with my 2006 2wd XE. the toe end was out of alignment......they didn't want to do a alignment under warranty at first but the person in charge of warranty work made them do it under warranty. They rotated the tires to the back and the noise from the front went away.
Can't help you with the question about the rearend.
Can't help you with the question about the rearend.