2001 Aurora with a few issues

[zodiac601hd1]

I recently purchased a 2001 Aurora 4.0 with 44k miles on it. The car is generally great (I love driving it), but it does a few things that I would like some feedback on:

1. When I put it in gear first thing in the morning, it goes into reverse smoothly 2/3 of the time, and goes into gear with an abrubt clunk the other third. In my reading of other posts there is some consistency with the blame for this being shift solenoids, but also a pressure valve being blamed. Is there a consensus on what the culprit really is?

2. When I approach a stop from highway speeds, the rpm's briefly drop farther than they should, to about 500 rpm which makes the headlights dim and the engine stumble. It doesn't die or have the SES light come on. Not sure whether this could be related to #1, or is a discreet problem, but it doesn't seem right.

3. I have a whining noise that is loudest when the car is cold. The noise is tied to engine rpm, and the car doesn't have to be moving to hear it. When i listen under hood, I believe the sound comes from the power steering pump. The fluid level is correct, and the steering operates normally. Is there any way to confirm whether the power steering pump is on the way out?

4. When I turn at low speeds I hear a fairly loud groaning from the steering. I have read that this can be fixed by replacing the high pressure hose on the power steering. Is this true? Could this be related to #3?

5. From inside the car at low speeds, I hear an inconsistant (on again/off again), air-leak, type of sound that seems to come from right behind the dashboard on the drivers side.

Any help with these things would be greatly appreciated. I'd really like to have a good idea of what's going on before I take it in or try to fix it. Thank you!

[zodiac601hd1]

Can anyone reply to any part of this? Lot's of views, no replies. Thanks