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If your '89 has anywhere close to a typical amount of miles on it (mid 100Ks to low 200Ks), and the struts are original, you're probably due for new struts in any case.
But that's probably not what's causing your rattling. The most common culprit for rattles and clunks are loose nuts and bolts, followed by bad bushings, ball joints, and tie rod ends. The first thing you should do is get under there with a 17mm and 19mm wrench and tighten up everything you see connected with the suspension or steering. Especially make sure the end link grommet nut is tightened so the grommet bulges a little, and the end link bushing bolt is tight. These commonly loosen up and cause clunks. The control arm bushing bolts are also common culprits. Make sure they are tight, though to get at the bolt inside the passenger side control arm bracket you'll have to take the exhaust front pipe off. A longshot, but worth checking, are the four bolts (two on each side) that connect the suspension crossmember to the frame. These are accessible from inside the engine compartment, down low.
If you have your car up on blocks, have a friend yank the wheels around in different directions while you check for play in any of the tie rod ends or ball joints. Also check the steering U-joints for play. If there's play anywhere, you know what you have to replace.
If you have bad bushings, sometimes they will be bad enough to be noticed upon visual inspection, but not always. Anyway you're probably due for a complete new set of bushings, once again assuming average miles for an 89. This isn't a huge job, but you might want to take the control arms & brackets to a shop to have them press the old bushings out and new ones in. Be careful, the left and right rear bushings are different; label them so the shop guy doesn't get it mixed up.
My recommendation, for best response without a harsh ride, is to go with the IPD urethane bushings for the sway bar mounts, end link grommets & bushings, and then go with the OEM Volvo rubber (not aftermarket!) for the control arm bushings. Urethane bushings for the control arm will give you a noticeably harsher ride. If you don't want to spring for Volvo control arm bushings all the way around, at the very least get the OEM rear control arm bushings, and Scantech front control arm bushings as a compromise.
Together with the new strut inserts, the new bushings will make you feel like you're driving a new car.
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