Front end about to fall apart
 

It all began with a 'clunk' whenever I turned left. Not right, just left. Short turn, long turn, hard turn, didn't matter. One clunk every time. Whatever the problem is it's gotten worse. When I enter a long, sweeping turn, the car will clunk and then change direction! I have to immediately crank the wheel another 1/4 to keep turning. Wierd!

I'm thinking it's a ball joint. Does that sound right? Car has 80k.

Would have to lift it up to check.

Ball joint, tie rod, wheel bearing, CV joint

Being that it's only when the wheel is turned I'd want to put more on bearing or joint.

Could also be an upper strut bearing, bad strut, or worn swaybar endlinks. Any number of a dozen things. Need to block the car up, and pull/push on everything.

Re: Front end about to fall apart
 

I would not drive that car until it is fixed! Sounds like a really bad tie rod end, although it could also be a ball joint. With the car on the ground, or up on a jack, and the steering wheel unlocked, grab each tire at 9 and 3 O'Clock and try to turn the wheel left and right while watching the steering wheel. Play here indicates bad tie rod ends. Lift each front wheel under the lower control arm as close as you can get to the ball joint. Grab the tire at 12 and 6 O'Clock and check for play by pushing at 12 while you pull at 6 and vice versa. Play here indicates a bad ball joint.

My father and i tore the front end apart last weekend. The steering rack mounting bolt snapped! While I was in there I replaced the struts springs rotors pads and end-links. All is better now.

Thanks for letting us know what the problem was. Helps us all help the next guy. Glad you're on the road safely again.

same thing happend to my '87 olds 98