96 s-10, brake and tranny noise, turning radius question

[jbrisson]

I'm a fairly new Chevy owner, always had Toyotas before now..
So I have some questions on my new (old) s-10..

First issue

Ok, if I'm idling in N with the clutch released, the 5 Speed transmission
makes a loose, rattling noise. The noise is also very prominent when preparing to downshift 3 or lower. You hear it right as you put the clutch down, but as soon as the syncro starts to grab, it gets louder.
Some people have told me this is normal for these trucks, but I'm not buying that yet. It just doesn't "feel" right.

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Second problem.. from the left (possibly right) rear. When I accellerate at any speed (but primarily from lower ones) I hear a "squeak, squeak, squeak" that increases in frequencey as the truck accelerates. If I'm on a decline, if it happens, I can't hear it. But its loud on a semi flat upgrade, or hill. I've just replaced the rear drums, shoes and cylinders (the left rear was leaking)

Accompanying this problem, I started to notice that at 60+ mph, if I push in the clutch, I feel a strong vibration. This vibration gets worse if the truck is loaded heavier.

Could this be brakes? Or possibly tires?
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Third issue
When I have to make a hard turn in reverse, either direction, the front of my truck seems to want to bind up and then it frees.. Many have told me this is normal for chevy trucks. Has anyone noticed this?
Is this just the wheel hitting the well?

TIA for any advice anyone can give me!!