"bump stop loose in the rubber spacer..."
the bump stop is a sort of stepped conical thing about 4-5" long, kinda reminds me of an ice cream cone, that sits on top of the gland nut. It does not sit in the rubber spacer, so I'm not sure what you're referring to. Also, Bilstein shocks, if you're using them, do not use it as they have an internal bump stop.

However, when I did mine I had a squeak and it was an insufficiently tightened control arm stay bolt, at the back end. And when I retightened it, I not only had the weight on the wheels but I sat on the bumper while my friend tightened the bolt; this I decided was a better way of taking out tension on the bushing, and the ride did become slightly less choppy.