OK so narrowing it down, with no play found in the ball joint or the tie rod end and very minimal movement in the control arm bushing while prying on it, and no wheel bearing play. It sounds like it's narrowed down to the upper strut mount/bearing. I'll still check the steering rack hardware tomorrow and anything else associated with it. As loud as the thumping is I also thought it could be the exhaust hitting something, but although the exhaust connection onto the manifold will allow plenty of movement I had to push the exhaust a couple inches before it would hit the body, and the sound is heard over mild bumps mostly, and it deffinately sounds like it's coming from the passenger side.