Well I've spent a couple hours searching and reading the various "clunck when turning" threads and almost all of them have suggested lubing the strut bearings. Maybe I'm a total newbie to cars which require seemingly simple maintenance like this, but I was wondering if anyone could tell me how exactly (and what type of grease) to do this.

I'm just hoping at this point that dry bearings is the problem. I noticed the clunking rarely at first when making slow-speed hard turns as in parking lots, but then today I noticed it a good bit more (with a carload of people and colder weather than normal) so I hope it'* nothing more serious such as a CV joint. (poor college student)

Thanks in advance for any help/advice! I'm fully willing to take it to a shop if I need to but I know shop mechanics around here have a reputation for scamming students sometimes and I'd rather do it myself if it'* somewhat simple.

Does the car pull the direction in which you turn?

Physically it turns just fine when I want it to. It doesn't seem to "stick" in the direction i'm turning, at least not that i've noticed. It seems like it thunks when I hit minor inconsistencies in the road, but then it'll also a bit when it turns under certain conditions. I can feel it under the floor and I can feel it in the steering wheel as a little release of resistance, which is why I worry it'* closer to the CV. I can't speak of it becoming any more difficult to steer, as I haven't had the car that long. I've checked and topped off steering fluid and everything and I haven't found any tears or holes in the boot whatsoever. Sounds as if it'* coming from the driver'* side front tire.

Thanks for the info bill! I really appreciate how helpful everybody is here!

Apologies on the new thread but I must've somehow overlooked the info

I had the same problem except the car would boing when I turned and then pull in the direction that I turned. I tried putting grease down the holes etc. and it didn't help. I eventually did a complete strut job including the mount and bearings.

Upon taking apart the strut that had the bad bearing, I found the bearing to be completely frozen and crushed. Replaced it and all is fine. Was a big job doing both front struts but I learned a lot.

It is possible that yours is something else but the symptoms sound like a bearing. However it does sound like yours is just starting so it is important to try lubing it *now*.

Well it seems all they had when I had a chance to run to the store was 85w-140 Gear Oil (Shell Rotella Heavy Duty SEA 85w-140)

I was told by a couple friends with me at the time that most cars allow for a certain degree of variety, and I realize this isn't going into the engine, but because I know viscosities can be pretty specific, I'd just like to be sure... maybe I'm just being too cautious but I'd still like to run it past some more people. OK to use or should I wait till I can find some regular 90w?

If the strut bearings can be saved by lubrication, what you bought will do just fine. This is not a critical application. You might start with a really light oil, even a penetrant like PB catalyst, just to get things moving, and follow it with heavier oil that will stay on the job under pressure. The lighter oil will give the heavier stuff a path to get where you need it to go. Adding a bit of gear lube each oil change is a good idea, too.