Update:
Took the car to the dealer today to get the oil changed and have them check the rattling noise and vibration during braking. The rear rotors were resurfaced at their expense (I only payed for labor!
) and are smooth as silk. Finally, I don't hate stopping anymore. According to my ticket, the rattle was solved by adjusting a cable - it didn't work. At first, I thought it was gone because the steering was tighter. Alas, when I took the car down a rough road it came back. However, it's not as high pitched. I'm not going to worry about it, I know is the intermediate shaft and bearing. I'll have the parts ordered and get them to fix it when I get the oil changed next time.
The car is doing great. Planning on getting a new passenger side headlight because the old one is foggy, and the drivers side has a brand new one. Looks terrible together.