Clunking noise when turning

[Patrick]

Bummer.... I know you can hear it...but can you feel it - in the foot box area or steering wheel?

[TheBandit]

You really need to jack the front end of the car up and inspect things carefully. Have someone slowly turn the steering wheel back and forth and see if there is any delayed reaction / dead spots in the motion of any of the component, especially at all the tie rod ends and ball joints.

At one time the two bolts holding the idler arm to the frame loosened up on my Nova and I had a similar clunking symptom that took a while for me to track down.

Are the two nuts holding the upper control arm to the frame tight?

Does the clunk happen only upon entry and exit of the turn or is it a clunk that repeats multiple times throughout a steady turn?

[monteboy84]

Does it make a difference if you're on the brakes or not?

-matt

[kman67rsss]

It occurs steadily through the turn. It gets worse as i get into the throttle. It doesn't do it with small turns in the road, mostly traffic circles and turning onto roads at an intersection. I should have some time this weekend to take a look. Patrick, i can fell it and everyone in the car can also. it gives the car a pretty good jolt. I dont think i have noticed a difference with the brakes applied or not. thanks

[kman67rsss]

Ive finally dug back into this. Ive replaced the upper ball joint and it didnt help. Ive got some pictures that i think shows my problem but not what causes it or how to fix it. The 2 with the gaps in the ball joint and spindle are the drivers side which is wear my clunk comes from. The pics without the gap are drivers side. any help/suggestions thanks