The popping sound could be a couple of things first off is your wheel tight? check lug nuts. Some of other causes may be damaged rotors and pads. check them by removing wheel and looking for damaged parts or worn out pads. other things could be front wheel dive axle CV joint but you would hear this when turning also.
what would cause a rubbing noise on drivers side front wheel especially when braking ( I replaced rotor and wheel bearings are good) ?
not usually. warped rotors will cause a vibration during braking.
A front popping on the left of a 98 Blazer could be the brakes, steering, or wheel bearing. Check all three to find the cause.
warped rotor
replace front brake rotors and pads.
front struts berings
What percent of braking are front wheels responsible
One cause of a popping noise from the front end while backing up in cold weather is the drive shaft. A mechanic can help find the problem.
When braking hard, the vehicle's weight shifts forward due to inertia, as the momentum of the vehicle pushes the center of gravity towards the front. This transfer of weight can lead to increased grip on the front tires, enhancing braking performance, but it may also cause the rear tires to lose traction. Drivers may experience a sense of the vehicle nosediving, which can affect stability and control if not managed properly. Proper braking techniques and vehicle dynamics are essential to maintain safety during hard stops.
During hard braking, inertia would cause the weight of the vehicle to shift forward towards the front wheels. This is because the momentum of the vehicle is being slowed down, leading to a weight transfer from the rear wheels to the front wheels.
realignment, 60 to 80 bucks
If it is a front wheel drive sometimes a bad cv joint can cause a popping sound when you are turning.