I got a clunking noise when I turn my wheel. But not all the time, it seems to be random. Today it didnt do it all day, but then I was driving thru the parking lot at the store and it was doing it over and over as i turned the wheel (from a small turn to a big turn, no matter what, clunking still). But then by the time I got home, it wasn't doing it anymore. I jacked one wheel up on my car (F/L) and it had a little play side to side (front to back) but not up and down, would this be tie rod? If so, is it just the end, or what? Is this something I can do in my garage with common tools (and an impact gun)

 

You may want to check your CV Joints...Good Luck and Happy motoring....

 

The CVs dont look cracked or covered in grease, so I think they are good. But the front and rear end links are pretty f**ked on the boot area. The lower part of the front end links both are missing the boots all together! Anyone think it'd be this rather than the tie rods/ball joins? The steering also feels loose around turns and on bumpy roads.

 

If you have side to side play the tie rod is bad.
Pull on the sway bar and feel for a clunk. If you feel it then it is bad.

 

The inner and outter tie rod or what? And what way do i pull on the sway bar? to the front, back, or side?

 

Oh, and if it does clunk, that means the sway bar is bad, or the end links?

 

You have to look and see of the inner or outer tie rod is bad.

For the sway bar pull down towards the ground. If it does click or clank the end link is bad.

 

How do you check a tie rod?

 

You will have to have it jacked up again. Then either have someone watch or have someone more the tire from side to side and see where the play is that you said you felt.