My '98T has just over 112k on it. For a while now, I've been hearing a popping/clanking noise when I have the wheel turned right. It doesn't do it every time.. but seems to take spells. It's currently in an off spell.

I thought it was my CV joints... but I had it in the shop yesterday for a tire rotation.. mentioned it to the shop.. and they said the CV joints look good. They suggested my issue may be in a strut or ball joint.

I've had manual hubs on since about 8k... so I was wondering why my CV joints would already be going out. Looks like it may be something else instead.

What should I look for?

steering stops, put some greese on them, both sides of lower control arms.

Jake,

That would be too easy.

I'll check it out.

Thanks.

I finally got around to checking on those steering stops. I put some grease on the stops.. we'll see if that cures this noise.

I actually still had one cover on the LH aft bolt:


However, the popping/clanking noise plus this is what was making me wonder about the RH cv joint... there is a bit of grease leaking on the shaft.. maybe not too bad:


Note the LH side is clean:


Side note: I found my cone washers today. Next up is the Warn to Aisin conversion.

I'm betting on the lower ball joints. Do you notice it when you are backing and the wheel is turned in one direction or another?

It hasn't happened lately. It comes in spells. When it occurs, the wheels are cranked to the right... backing up or going forward. The right rear steering stop was pretty scored.

Jack the front end up and get a tire iron or prybar under the tire. Pull up and down on the tire iron and watch the lower ball joint to see if it moves. You've just about exactly described the sound of bad lower ball joints and your milage is about right for them to go bad too.

Let us know what you find out!!!