CV joints or sway bar bushings - clunk?
 

If anyone can give me a shade tree, sunday afternoon test to determine the clunking noise i'm getting now when i turn the steering wheel in either direction, i'd be so grateful. It seems to be either of the above culprits, but is there a roadside test which i could do on my own to work out which one?

My clunk has been around for a while, but it used to be very quite. But now it's more noticeable since i've been using the car a lot on bad Lebanese autoroutes, which ideally are only suitable for tractors.

thanks in advance

MJ in Beirut

sway bar bushings more likely to make noise moving up and down over those bumpy roads.
highly suspect something in your steering system is worn...maybe the bushings holding the rack to the crossmember? maybe the inner tie rods have gone sloppy? even the little bearings at the top of the front struts getting dry can make the steering feel sticky when trying to turn the wheel.

what#s the easiest way of outruling each one? I'm guessing the struts' nuts could do with tightening, if there is some play there but the other two issues? are they visible once you get under and have a look?

Always a good idea to identify what year and model we are discussing. Also, your description is not very helpful. For instance, if you are parked and turn the wheel is that causing a clunk? If so, the CV joints (only on the rear of a 944) are not indicated. If the clunk happens while driving straight down the road, again - totally different things to look at. And if you are parked and can saw the wheel back and forth and make it clunk each time the steering direction happens - again a totally different set of things to advise.

I'm thinking the last description is your problem but you need to confirm. If so, I have some quick advice to further inspect and it is a cheap fix.

it's a 1986 NA 944
It makes the clunk when the car is parked and the steering wheel is turned in either direction

hope that helps

MJ

Could easily be a worn ball joint issue, or tie rod end wear.

i'm hoping its a tie rod end. But which is more likely to wear out? The tie rod joints on the wheel, or the internal ball and socket joint where the rod meets the sterring rack?

MJ

UPDATE. I was very lucky with my inspection as i spotted it immediately. The tie rod linkage on the passenger side is completey gone. All the play that i experience is in that joint. My only confusion is that the linkeage itself doesn't have the tiny hole in the top for a grease nipple, which i saw on others on the net. Any ideas? If its' the type which doens't have the nipple, shouldn't you apply some grease where the two components meet and sit?

MJ