[shorod]

The first thing I'd inspect carefully are the front wheel bearings. If worn they can cause the growl/whine noise as well as the clunk sound. Additionally they could explain the traction control engaging at low speeds (experienced that on my dad's S-10).

The clunk when shifting to reverse is a common sound on these GM trucks. GM issued a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) for it and even re-designed the transmission output shaft with a different (nickel?) plating to help reduce the chances of the clunk. I don't recall what all years were effected, but it's worth looking in to.

-Rod