Clunking -> Rattling -> Squeaking

[Huskymaniac]

Ever since I picked up my 1996, I have had this clunking noise from the front end. I looked under the car and my mechanic did too and we saw nothing obviously wrong with the sway bar bushings, sway bar end links, tie rod end links or ball joints. The noises do not go away when braking so I don't think it is the calipers. The clunking was initially faint and only on bumpy roads and most noticeable at low speeds. The clunking has gotten worse with time. Keep in mind that the car is very clean as it is low mileage and from down south. I looked at the strut area under the hood and the nuts seemed tight and the rubber was in great condition. I seriously doubt the strut mounts are corroded. Also, I pushed down on the front quarter panels and didn't hear a noise and the car responded firmly without bouncing so I think the struts are OK. One question I have about the struts is with regards to the dust cover. Should it be pushed all the way up to the spring retainer with the bottom floating or should it be completely floating and sitting on top of the strut frame?

As the noise has gotten worse it is starting to sound more like a rattling sound with some squeaking thrown in for good measure. One interesting thing to note is that the squeaking comes in when the car is warmed up. And when the clunking was faint I would swear that I didn't hear it when the car was cold but only after it had warmed up. I now hear the clunking all the time but the squeaking definitely starts when warm. I even hear a squeak on the outside of the car when I shut the door. I can also make is squeak if I whack the top of one of the front tires. But again, only when warm. I was just outside spraying the sway bar bushings with silicone and I noticed that the squeaking went away when the hood was open. I backed out the rubber bumpers and sprayed silicone on the latch and it sounds like the squeak is gone. I am not sure where the squeaking was coming from but I am guessing it is where the latch grabs the loop on the hood. What is the best thing to lubricate this with?

The rattling really sounds like something bouncing inside an enclosure and banging against the inside wall versus two things banging into each other. That makes me think it has something to do with the steering rack.

Any and all suggestions on the source of the rattle are welcome and appreciated. I can live with the noise if I know what it is and I know it isn't a safety issue.

I did some research on this forum and on the web and found these as possible causes:

1. Sway bar bushings
2. Sway bar end links
3. Ball joints
4. Tie rod end links
5. Inner tie rods
6. Control arm bushing
7. Bad strut
8. Strut mount
9. Loose sway bar bolts (unclear as to whether this refers to bushing bracket bolts or endlink bolts)
10. Sway bar shifting to one side and contacting the control arm
11. Steering rack needs lash adjustment
12. Power steering relief valves
13. Steering u-joint
14. Loose bolts securing the front suspension subframe to the car