if it was the rotors whouldnt you feel it in the steering, wouldnt make a thump nosie....??

 

and you should be able to hear what sprt of place its coming from, i.e front, rear, somewhere inbetween...

the reverse thing is coz the reverse idler gear on the counter shaft is srtaight cut so its hard to get in and also it has to run off one of the forward gears so in a way u are lining up two gears so if first dosent work go to second u should get it aftr that. as for u slowing down thunk in 2nd check or your rear stabilizer bar bushes one may be shot and when u brake its moving ??? just a thought

:jamie: