I have a question about the suspension on my 2005 Dodge Stratus?

Was the mechanic able to replicate the noise in the shop? Suspension and alignment specialists are good at finding worn parts through visual inspections, but noises can be elusive, especially if they only occur during a test-drive.

There is a tool you might be able to borrow or rent from an auto parts store that borrows them called the "Chassis Ear". It is a set of six microphones, a switch box, and headphones. You clip the microphones to suspect points, then drive around while listening with the headphones. You can move the microphones around to zero in on the source of the noise. Be aware that many mechanics have never seen or even heard of this tool. Suspension and alignment mechanics use it to find rattles, squeaks, and other noises.

I'd pay particular attention to the lower control arm bushings and anti-sway bar bushings. Lower load-carrying ball joints can make a squawking noise too even though there is no movement in them during a visual inspection. Also, to check load-carrying ball joints, the car has to be raised up off the wheels. That will eliminate the tension on them and that can stop them from making noise.

An anti-sway bar bushing is not a safety issue but if it causes a squawking noise, it isn't going to get better by itself. Eventually enough of the rubber will wear away to allow the bar to bounce around inside the bracket. You may feel the thumping inside the car. Eventually your sanity will be in question.

Look at the bottom of the strut where it bolts to the wishbone that goes around the half shaft. Just inboard of where that wishbone attaches to the lower control arm you'll see the link hanging down. That link has a ball and socket, and the lower end attaches to the anti-sway bar.

Do the Chassis Ear thing. The older version with wired microphones used to cost $200.00 from the guys who drive the tool trucks around, but I've seen them for less than 70 bucks on Amazon.

When you're checking things on the suspension system, you have to watch that everything is hanging freely with no tension or vehicle weight on anything. That can mean supporting the car with jack stands under the frame so the control arms can hang freely, or with the jack stands under the control arms, depending on what you're inspecting.

If the upper strut mount is coming apart, that can let the shaft of the strut move around but the noise wouldn't be very loud. On your car the strut is not involved in setting the alignment so you wouldn't notice any pulling or handling problems.

Take the car to a tire and alignment specialty shop. The people there specialize in finding the causes of noises and vibrations.