It's too bad you don't own a wrench, the sway bar end links are soooo easy to replace. That is usually the source of the rattles.
The groaning could be from the upper strut mount bushing, but that requires a little more work to compress the spring. Most shops suggest replacing the strut,shock, when doing the same labor. A local shop quoted me just over $1K to replace both struts and an alignment. I did it in 4 hours total at home, and then spent $100 on an alignment.

It does not have an appreciable effect on the rear suspension, except that with all new in front I could then hear and feel the rear suspension more :)

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My name is Klaus and I am a V ♂ lv ♂ holic.