Golf IV R32 :: Started With A Clunk And Getting Slight Grinding Noise

I've got 39K on an 04' R32, just had new tires put on 17" rims and the car was aligned. Whether the alignment has anything to do with these noises I'm not sure but thought I should at least mention it. I'm also still on the original front brake pads if that matters.

So, shortly after getting the tires & alignment done I was driving at around 35-40 mph down a steep hill and applied the brakes. I heard what I'll call a clunk and it felt like something shifted. No other noises were heard or felt until I got home. As I rolled backwards into my parking spot with the tires cocked to the left I hit the brakes and again heard a clunk. However, this clunk was much quieter. It sounded like it came from the front drivers side wheel and I could feel the "clunk" in the steering wheel ever so slightly.

Next day I went down the same hill and applied the brakes quickly and a bit hard. Nothing. No clunk, no noise, nothing. Got home and when parking heard/felt a small clunk. A friend said it might be the caliper or pads shifting which made sense to my ignorant a$$ because the pads are originals.

Since I don't drive the car much I'm waiting on getting it checked out and wanted to do some research here before I take it in. Well, it's time to take it in because now I'm getting a slight grinding noise when the wheel is turned any amount to the right and also when I turn hard to the left. I can feel a slight vibration in the steering wheel too when this grinding noise occurs.

I've seen some posts that seem similar to my situation. They include wheel bearings, sway bar linkage, coil something or other and hopefully not CV joint. Is it possible the alignment caused something to go bad? If so, I'll go back to that shop. I really want to avoid the dealership because I hate being raped on parts.