02 Chevy trailblazer fan clutch?

My 2002 trailblazer use to have a ticking sound coming from the engine compartment. Now the fan is making a lot of noise and it seams like the engine is reving higher before it changes gears.
I unplugged the wiring harness for the electronic fan and it still ran.
My questions:

1. what is the normal operating temp on this vehicle?
2. Does this sound like the clutch fan..or maybe a computer problem?
3. will it hurt to drive it like this.
4. Does it require any special tools to replace the fan clutch?
5. what steps would you take to determine the problem?

Thanks for the help.

Must be an epidemic- my TB has a clutch fan problem started the first day of my vacation while driving-
Gizmo has a recent post about the same problem, has lot of replies.
Wonder if these are all heat related , as have not seen so many clutch fan issues until this week. Thanks for the planned obsolesence GM!

I had this problem twice when it was under warranty. the first time they replaced the fan clutch. I had the same issue a month later so they replaced it again and also replaced the PowerTrain Control Module. It has been good ever since.

I replaced my faulty fan clutch with the NEW part # . Watch them at the parts counter, as they will try to move the old crap out on you.
By the way , thanks to whomever posted that tidbit about the new part #, probably saved me from having to that miserable job again.

One hint about doing it, I put cardboard next to the radiator, saved it from getting scratched or dented(unlike me).

Now I no longer hear that ticking from the engine at highway speed!!