If you have stock wheels and suspension, tire rub seems like a very odd culprit. If those have been modified, it's the first place I'd start.
The steering lock will be Rev D (though people on the forum have experienced Rev D failing even prior to the recall). Pull the fuse or cut the brown wire asap, so you don't get stranded somewhere. Search for DIY here on the forum.
The popping and ticking noises you hear are normal.
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2011 370Z 6MT Sport Gun Metallic | ARC | CJM | Ecutek | FI | Fujimura | R2C | SPL | Stillen | TWM | Z1 | ZSpeed | |