Looking for other ideas of things to check....

-wheel bearings "seem" ok -- no play, feel smooth. How else to check?
-no rubbing - all stock rims etc

The sound is unnerving -- Need to fix this!!

TIA

 

check your sway bars and bushings.
Endlinks okay?

 

Good morning.

You've obviously thought to check the tightness and re-torque all suspension bolts - on both sides of the car.

Also be aware that there was a service notice on upping the torque on the front wheel nuts to solve a similar problem

There is now a further TSB 02-005-08:

Some customers may complain of an unusual noise from the front of the vehicle. The plastic insert connecting
the stabilizer control link ball joint to the control link may crack (1) and become separated (2).

check it here at Rosenthal Mazda's TSB site

Good luck, and Please update your results.

 

Great and fast info, thank you!

The wheel/disk issue seems a likely culprit, found the TSB here:
http://www.finishlineperformance.com...2-04-1301b.pdf

It calls for higher torque on wheel nuts of 108lb-ft, plus cleaning up mounting surfaces.

Thanks again! will report back