What you are facing is the strut carriers that are called many things but most importantly, the thrust bearings. They control and mute the forces applied to the suspension when hitting a bump or when the brakes are applied... pushing the spindle back towards the rear of the car. As this force is absorbed it is transfered thru a strut to a bearing and ultimately to a pair of bushings on an aluminum bracket. The bearing allows movement up and down and a pair of rubber bushes absorb and control shock and harshness. Generally the bushes become soft and/or dry and require renewal and the bearings get fouled with road debris and fail. Not an easy job, but doable DIY with some research and tenacity.
Try a search for "Strut Bearings" and should you be inclined to do the job, replace everything.