Removed the right side fender liner tonite to start upper a-arm removal to replace ball joint. The sway bar bushing looks good and does not need to be replaced. I had been driving with both sway bar links removed and clunk was still there. I noticed that all of the upper fender securing bolts were loose and one was backed out several turns.
Next is to check all under-car fasteners. We'll get to the bottom of this.

 

I have a horrible sinking feeling that it's the adaptive shock. Pretty sure it's not the braces. Will take it to the mechanics (again) and see if he can rule out the upper ball joints. If so it looks like I'll have to start saving. .again .

 

Jeff, It might be those shocks after all. I've checked everything and found nothing loose.

There is no vertical play in my upper ball joints. The lower ball joints are load carrying and have a very slight vertical play. It's easiest to just replace the shocks first. The lower ball joint must be a job to replace because of the lower arm bushing bolt interference with the tie rod.

 

I had the same problem. Very irritating. This is what caused mine, do not think you have replaced yours yet. The mounts at the top of the shocks. Look how worn and distorted the one is.

 

Thanks Frank. Yes they were one of the very first bits I replaced.

 

If you take the inner tie rod gator off at the rack and turn the wheels all the way to the side you are working on the lower arm bolt will clear and come out easily.

 

I took the 20-30 minutes to slowly and methodically work the lower wishbone bolt past the rack bellows without tearing it (4 times - in/out both sides).

About 1 month later I replaced the inner tie rods. The first step was to undo the inside clamp on the bellows and pull the bellows out to access the inner tierod hex. Took a couple seconds and I see the Lower wishbone bolt has a free path to come out. I felt pretty stupid i didn't think of that earlier.