I keep seeing guesses in the comments section, so let me be clear: the issue was an internally binding rack. Nothing more, nothing less. I replaced the rack and the problem was resolved. For those having weird sounds coming from their suspensions, I wish you luck. These kinds of things are a total PITA to figure out. The only mechanic who correctly diagnosed it had to put the car on a lift that supported the tires. Then while he was under the car with a mechanic's stethoscope, he had another tech up on the lift turning the wheel from one end to the other. He then narrowed it down to the sound coming from inside the actual rack. Good luck!!
Posting with hope that the good folks at Acurazine can tell me where to start diagnosing the problem. This is with the car idling in Park and slowly turning the wheel all the way to the left, then turning back to center, and then all the way to the right, then back to center again. Never hear the sounds when driving at normal speeds.
