I think the lower ball joint failed, everytime I hit a bump it makes a bad clunking/poping noise on the right side only.

Anyone know what a shop usually charges to replace one since I dont feel like drilling for 2 hours to get the rivets out?

I did it myself before on my 87 and it sucked. I have even less tools now and I dont think a dremel is the way to do it.

the duralast at ricerzone is $25.

Could this possibly be anything else like a strut bearing or another related component?

don't hold this against me if i'm wrong, but i had a sorta similar problem, and it ended up being a sway bar end link...it would make an unnerving clunk whenever weight was shifted to the right front wheel (i.e., hitting a bump, cornering fast), and it was only $6.50 for a new end link...could that be your problem?

Bad tie-rod ends will often clunk during those times also. Have you jacked up the car and shaken the tire, 12 & 6 o'clock, and then 3 & 9? Any looseness?

I just jacked up the car.

The end links on both sides are fine and were replaced with polyethylene or whatever those plastic looking ones are made out of. I did not make sure to see if they were tight. They did look tight however.

I tried to move the tire 3 and 9 and 12 and 6....no go. I tried wiggling it every which way...no go. its tight as it can be. the boot on the lower balljoint looks fine...

What in the strut system could make a popping noise? keep in mind the handling on this car is better than any other SSEi I've been in other than willwrens, but he had just replaced his struts. It still handles perfect and has no shakes at high speeds, the tires are wearing nearly perfectly, even though this problem has gotten progressively worse in the past 6 months.

On a different car when my lower balljoint when I thought I remember the wheel was loose too, or maybe I'm just trippin.

Any ideas?

The upper strut mount can do that.

BTW, when you experienced my car, my front struts were 4 years old, and the rears were 3.

With all those things eliminated, I'd agree that it lis ikely the strut/srut mount making the noise.

I would guess mounts as well. I have LOUD popping from the rear on both sides when I hit bumps, or when I turn while driving over a dip or rise in the road. My struts in back have been BAD for a while.

That'* exactly what my right front strut mount /with bearing does; makes a hollow pop noise going over bumps. I'm waiting for the deep freeze to end before I change it out. It'* been too cold lately.

When you say you suspect the lower ball joint, you're thinking of RWD front suspensions. On FWD, it'* the upper front strut mount /with bearing that carries the load.