Steering Clunking

[billdo]

I have a bad clunking in my steering. It appears to be the worst when backing up and with the wheel to the right. I have read other threads and tried the White Lithium grease on the steering column joint, but no luck.

What other possible places could this be coming from? I have had the car up on jacks and had someone turning the wheel but cannot identify the area making the clunk. What is the most obvious place it could come from? Is it a ball joint?

[Gurjit]

how many kms you got
I had a clunk and it was the tie rod end, not the ball joint but the ball and socket that is threaded into the steering rack, less than 150$ for both sides lemforder and I did them myself, make sure you get alignment after

they were worn out at 110,000kms

[billdo]

I have 96,000 miles on it. I really didn't want to take off the stiffening plate, but I guess I will have to now.

[bcredliner]

Have you tried to track it down using an auto stethoscope? If you don't have one any tube, even a long ratchet extension will work. You can even use the cardboard center of a roll of paper towels or a piece of garden hose. Easier if you have something metal but doesn't have to be. Just touch it to metal parts and find where the noise is the loudest.

I wouldn't be buying parts or removing the stiffing plate until at least tried the above.

[Gurjit]

U dont need to remove/touch that plate to do tierod ends...

[billdo]

I will try those things. Problem is the noise only occurs when driving.

[bcredliner]

That makes it harder to pinpoint.

I would do a visual check with front end off the ground. Look for dust boots that are cracked or grease around them and see how easy the tie rod and moves. Also check the connecting points of the sway bar links. They are often the first to wear out.

[billdo]

I have done that, but will look again. Last year I changed the control arms, and a few months back did a front axle.

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[pezho405]

on mune it was the steering coupler

[bcredliner]

Does it make the noise only when the steering wheel is cranked hard to the right? Can you feel it in the steering wheel or does the steering wheel vibrate? If not, can you feel anything if you hold onto the shifter?