My car makes a very loud knocking almost rattling sound when I'm going down a hill or pressing on the breaks at all.

SOURCE: rattle in front end

is it possible that the heat shields of the brake pads came loose and are rubbing against the rim?

SOURCE: Loud ticking/knocking/rattling sound when I start/accelerate

hi is it miss-firing as it sounds like a knocking noise can be anything but if you can feel it on the accelerater pedal then the noise sounds like its on the inlet valve side which would transfere the noise up the throttle body where the accelerater is located it could be something as simple as a tappet come loose to a burned valve you need to have a look do a compression test and take the rocker cover off see if theres anything come loose yates210456

SOURCE: 2002 caravan clunking problem

may be boll joint
or sway bar link .

SOURCE: 2002 grand caravan, excessive ratteling

I had the same problem. I changed the two arms on the equalizer bar. good luck.

SOURCE: is a front link the same thing as a sway bar link

yes they are the same. 8 months sounds premature, but if it was an inexpensive brand X part they used it is possible.