Rattling Noises from front wheel

Can anyone help me??? When I hit a bump in the road I have a rattling noise coming from my left front tire. It's pretty loud!! The strange thing is, if I just barely engage the brake pedal, not even enough to make the pad touch the rotor and hit the same exact bump....NO RATTLE. I have had new brake pads recently and the mechanic said he didn't see anything in the brake system that he thought would cause the rattle, but did notice that I needed new Stabilizer arm ball joints, or bushings, whatever you wanna call 'em. Could those bushings, or ball joints, be causing my rattle or something else. The part they are refering to is about 8" long with a bearing at both ends, mounted right behind my front tire. And before you ask, i just recently got the rims on the car and it was rattling WAY before I put them on!! Thanks in advance for any tips....:screwy::banghead:

Yeah, the stabilizer link could rattle, pretty loud, if the bushings are shot.

Your deal with the brake pedal throws a twist in there, your make it sound like the brake pads are causing the rattle. The 1996 TC uses some fairly strong spring clips to keep the pads from rattling, their riveted to the pads.

Hopefully you have the anti-rattle devices in place on the pads. It's easy enough to check during an inspection.

Mine does the same thing, sounds like a bag of rocks rattlin around. I have narrowed it down to the caliper- turn your wheel and grab ahold of it (caliper) and wiggle- mine was loose on the pins. Inadequate lube on the slides, worn. I have to replace caliper and pins now. Only drivers side is worn though. Have heard 2 others in my town with the same noise as well. Hope this helps!