first the front wheel thing yeah bad sounds like bad bearings could break an axle and then your on your face
second chain noise don't forget to get your cog tight enough chain ring bolts tight chainline as stated above and crank arms tight / use the proper bb for your set up also check you chain tension if it is too tight it will make noise my chain makes noise because my chain ring is not very true or very stiff
also new chains expecially running 1/8" make a little noise for the first mile or two you ride them as I have noticed I can it breakin period