since ive had the car, the steering has been a bit funny. turning left, about an eighth of the way around, it would tighten up, real tight, stops turning. then if i keep turning it "Breaks" free past this point, exaggerating the steer, then proceeds to the lock normally from this point on. right hand center to lock is normal.

this can be a problem because on the freeway on my commute, theres a nice high speed sweeping left hander with requires me to put the steering wheel right at the point where its tight or breaks free, so i have to try and keep it either on the "tight" side or on the "Free" side, causing me to either corner too wide, or too tight, depending on what side (tight or free) i settle on.

decided to check the steering rack, put the front on jackstands and turned the wheel lock to lock a few times, listening for sounds and feeling for play. after i did that i took it down from the stands and drove it. the tight spot magically disappears!

fast forward two weeks.

the tight spot is back, less obvious, but there. other noises that have been coming from the front end are on rough roads (theres a lot where i live), the wheel wants to jerk back and forth and what sounds like metal on metal action. clunk, clunk. the steering wheel can vibrate pretty bad sometimes at high speeds.

when the car is stopped with the wheel at center and i wiggle the it back and forth (with the car on or off) i can hear a very distinct clunk, and i can actually feel movement in the floor at my feet, corresponding with the clunk.

last week i leaned against the hood in the parking lot and heard a clunk. let my wieght off and leaned back on it again, another clunk. popped the hood, and pushing down on the car with my hand on the top end of the strut, concluded its moving up and down about a half mm. both sides.

up on the jacks today, took the front right wheel off. wiggling left wheel at 3 and 9 oclock, theres a clunk, and when i push/pull on the tie rods, the sound happens again. both sides. when i grab the caliper and rod ends, the clunking is heard as well. wiggling the disc rotor i can feel play. putting ym ears close i can hear noise coming from bewtween the rotor and strut, and a bit where the end rod meets the rack, but im not entirely sure exactly where its coming from.

so, what is it? strut bearing? hubs? steering rack? i dont feel play in the bushings/i dont know how to look for worn bushings. i know a suspension overhaul is needed, i would if i could afford it (hubs, bushings, tie rods and ends, struts, etc) but im trying to dial in on the most plausible suspect so i can replace it and keep her rolling until i save up enough cash.

thank you all very much, youve all been such an awesome help here, and i look forward to your replies.
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Drink Beer, Ride Bikes, Drive Volvo.