Rattle noise coming from front driver side wheel when going over bumps

Ensure the wheel nuts and Axle nuts are properly torqued to the specification. Lift up the front wheels, place supports under the car and do the following:
- Sit if front of right wheel, slightly move it right and left and feel any abnormal noise if coming out of it. If click-click or Tuck-Tuck sound is observed it could be due to the excessive play in the tie rod end, rack end, ball joint wheel bearing or U joint. Next hold the Tire with your one hand at the top and with other hand at the bottom. Shake the Tire inside out and feel any noise or play. If play is observed, it could be the worn out ball joint or the wheel bearing. Now hit the Tire at the top with rubber hammer and observe any rattling noise coming from near the center of the wheel. If you could listen to the extra noise it could be due to the dried up caliper pins. Grease the pins with graphite grease. If all is found fine, similarly check the left wheel and repair as necessary.

front brake pad hardware is worn out , causing pads to move around when jarred , applying brakes tightens pads and noise will go away

Sounds like wheel bearing going out.




Performance Air Intakes

The first thing to check on a rattling noise is if going over minor bumps in the road if that is when it makes noise is a sway bar link, they make a rattling noise. If you raise that wheel up you might also want to try and wobble the wheel to be sure it is not a tie rod end or ball joint. Typically I run into the sway bar links or the sway bar bushings making the noise. However ive even seen it be a rock sitting on the strut plate.

have you checked the wheel nuts are tight and its not the wheel rattling becuase ball joints usally bang and klang but it would be wise to get it checked anyway

check your break pads, and calipa. check your wheel balancing and alignment

See if you can bounce car and replicate the noise. If you can, you should be able to find it, and put your hand on it. Stabilizer bushing are a place to look, both at the lower a arm and on the frame. If you narrow it down to the strut, it will need to be replaced. The front trans mount also goes bad, try putting it in drive with your foot on the brake and give it some gas and see if the engine moves an excessive amount.

wheel cylinder needs replacing; rattle may be coming from broken wheel cylinder; consult your local mechanic, or if you are mechanically inclined., DIY. :-)

My wife's 20002 escape had a similiar issue. Whenever the front end on the driver side was compressed due to turns or bumps a clunking noise was heard. Then it happened to the other side later. The stabilizer rods on both sides had come loose. When you look at them you can't tell but, if you pull on them when someone bounces the front end up and down you can feel the ball bouncing in and out of the joints. The joints are made of plastic and wear out easily but are not too difficult to replace and are inexpensive.