'02 Protege5, recently we started hearing a rattling sound coming from the right front of the car. You don't hear it when idling and only when driving slowly. It is most obvious on bumpy roads. You don't hear it when on the freeway or at those speeds. We have had it looked at and they could not find anything loose on the car and suggested it might be the front license plate rattling. We've tried padding around the plate but that hasn't changed anything. I can't be certain but it seems to me the sound started soon after getting new tires and having them rotated. The sound seems to be coming from around the right front tire. Does anyone have any tips on what to check for before spending more $$ trying to have someone else find the noise?

Thank you

 

Try to recreate the rattle by tapping on stuff. If it sounds very much like it you may have found it. Items to check:
Inner fender, splash shield, sway bar links, caliper, lower ball joint , CV joint, wheel bearing and so on. Check the heat shields around the catalytic converter and exhaust system. Did any rocks get caught in there?
For some stuff there are certain procedures. You can look for U-tubes on how to check a CV joint, lower ball joint ...

While driving you may get a clearer sound by rolling down the right window and driving by a concrete wall. Ask yourself if it is metal to metal, or metal to rubber, heavy or light weight material?

Good luck, once it gets worse it will be easier to find.