[projectRDM]

Play and noise both, that's a wheel bearing. Nothing else rotates in the front end. The spindle has no moving parts and is one piece so it if was the culprit you'd have a wheel rolling away while driving. Strut bolts could be loose enough to cause play but they wouldn't make noises like what you're hearing.

An improperly installed or overtightened wheel bearing won't last 1000 miles, and all it takes to trash one is a light run in to a curb or even a good size pothole.