Just thought I would close this out. I found the cause of both noises. The "gear noise" or rubbing sound ended up just being the tire hitting the plastic shield on the passenger side wheel well. I thought the sound was coming from the drivers side so I didn't even look on the passenger side.
The clunking/popping noise ended up being a broken sway bar end link. Again, I thought the noise was coming from the drivers side (doh) but it was the passenger side.
Fixed the plastic shield, and installed a new sway bar end link. Noises gone.
Thanks for the help guys.
