[SVXMAN2001]

Thanks Tapani, great suggestions. I've taken both struts out and compared side by side, and there does not appear to be any defect visually speaking. There may be a defect that I am not seeing once the strut is under load though.

When applying downward pressure to the vehicle (pushing down on the trunk lid) each strut seems to be going through it's natural motion...no sound of weird clunks or squishes or any indication that either strut is blown.

I really am at a loss and am thinking that I may have to take it to a frame shop or start replacing suspension parts one by one trying to troubleshoot this.