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Despite what Les Schwab asserted, a leaky strut is not fine. It may have just started leaking, which tells you that you will need to keep an eye on it, but it will need to be replaced sooner rather than later.
There are five jack points in the front of the car, one being in the center (page IN-7 of the BGB), so your father may have been mistaken. (I can't quite tell where you where trying to jack the car up without looking under my car.)
Rotors can be off (warped) by just a few thousandths of an inch to create a pulsating brake feel when applying the brakes. Since you described the sensation, it is safe to presume that you will need to have the rotors turned, if sufficient material still exists, or that your will need to be replaced. The cost difference between new rotors and having them turned can be negligible. However, there are considerable differences in the quality of new rotors.
The clunking sound could be a worn out bushing, perhaps for the front sway bar, or a bad upper strut mount, as well as the lower control arm. Jack up the car once again and look and pry around.
When the car is up, have someone hold the opposite tire when you try move the other wheel back and forth in the 3:00 and 9:00 position. If you still have a lot of play, check the inner and outer tie rod end. The outer tie rod ends are more likely suspect. To check the inner tie rod, turn the wheel to gain access, and then grab the inner tie rod and see if there is play in an "in and out" direction.
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