I've had problems with the rear struts on mine...and brakes. I dealt with the annoyance of the struts for quite awhile before gettting them replaced. My right rear strut went up thru the top into the trunk, while the drivers rear strut actually fell down out of it's mount. Take a look under the wheel wells to see if either of them is hanging. If so, it will likely won't be connected to the top at all...mine was just lying at an angle...seems like it could've been dangerous!! Also, look in the trunk...if it's come thru there you will see a gap between the nut on the top and the vehicle (mine was sticking up about 2 inches above the metal in the trunk...hope that makes sense).
As far as noises go, mine would creak, moan and groan. Especially when I got in and out of the car. Whenever I got out, the rear struts would slowly go back up making an annoying groan.
Only real problem I had in replacing the strut was a piece of rubber in a figure-8 shape (not sure what it's called). I didn't clamp it and it made the job 100X harder than it should've been. I had a very hard time compressing it back to the way it's supposed to be.