Hey hello thanks for the greeting and your help! These last few years have been a mess and a blur really and I thank you for the input. My old subaru CV axles were a similar hit or miss with the aftermarket versions which is probably what I'll look into or the shop will order them so they may warranty them too. Interesting about the 12-point impact wrench ...I didn't know that. All the rubbers in the front end do look about the same age and not hard to change like your wrote, especially for a seasoned mechanic.
One of the last jobs I had a local shop do was the clutch replacement. First shop where I wanted the work done the estimator said it was a 40hr job and would run $2400 plux tax IIRC. Crazy..., 40 hours for a skilled shop with like 12 bays and lifts and all that. Heck, I thought back to about 1996 doing my Subaru clutch the first time in my apartment driveway on ramps. That took me 8hrs the first time, a big learning curve, but I damaged the rear main seal putting it in. So I had to redo the job... 4 hours that time and a good seal lasted until I sold the wagon a few years ago. 40 hours for a full service shop, really?? I then took the Nissan to another nearby shop and they did it for $1400.
Anyway, I'll look in the strut rod bushings at the same time. I thought the previous owner had redone the front and rear suspension yet I'm not certain. I may add more photos soon, when I find out more, or with more questions.
Thanks again for your help and best regards, Aaron