On a 2001 Escape the is a "poping" noise when driving slow in the suspension area of the right wheel. It is sometimes almost to a vibration. It sounds like a tap with a hammer but duller. Also when stopped I can turn the steering wheel fast to the right and it makes a single pop of the same sound. I think both noises are from the same source. Could this be in the steering link - I tapped on it with my fist and it feels very slightly loose where the steering arm goes inside the steering assembly ( I don't know the name of this part but there is a 'boot' where the two come thogether). Everything else seems tight. Please help.

 

Could be the stabilizer links (skinny rods with a ball joint on each end that run vertical to the strut). You can pull hard on the center of the rod and hear the metal click of the ball joints are out on the links. They are a common wear item since the ball joint is sealed and sits in plastic. Mine were making the same noise going over bumps or when doing a tight turn at slow speeds.

I also had some lesser popping noises disappear when I replaced my front pads/rotors.

Those two items have solved all my noises through the better part of 80k miles.
In a worst case - could be the entire rack is bad, wheel bearings, etc.