I need to have someone else turn the wheel while I listen more closely, but I'm 99% sure the sound is not from the strut tower or top part. It seems to originate from the lower part of the vehicle.
While the car is parked and engine running, quickly turning the steering wheel left/right will cause a "clunk" sound from the right front wheel. While the car is moving (at under 20 mph), if I make a right turn there will be a metal grinding/groaning sound anytime there is steering input. Throttle input doesn't have an impact on it.
When taking off from a stop, there's no ting/click/pop as long as the wheel is straight.