What is causing this clunk when I turn the steering wheel? It doesn't usually make it when the car is moving, but at times it will. It makes it once the wheels are back to center. The car handles kind of loosely, especially at higher speeds, and whenever I hit an uneven spot in the road, the front wheels go off to one side or the other. The car is a 1998 Civic DX Sedan, automatic with about 172,000 miles on it.

Video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ocucTupfNc

 

Are your tie rods loose?

 

I don't know. I don't do my own repairs but a guy that I know thinks its an inner tie rod end.

 

Grab the tie rods to see if you feel any play. They should be very stiff.

 

If they are loose, then they should be replaced right? What's a ballpark estimate for that to be done?

 

I had this problem and it was tie rods. Costs a couple hundred

 

I'm taking it in to my mechanic next Thursday (a week from tomorrow) to have the clunk looked at. However, I have yet another noise. Over the past two weeks, when I'm slowing down, I can hear a fairly loud creaking sound coming from the front end. Its not suspension related because I've stood over each front wheel and bounced the car and there are no noises. What could this be? The sound goes with the rotation of the wheel, meaning the faster the wheel is spinning, the faster the sound is made and vice-versa. Is this related to possible tie rod end problems? Warped rotors? I just got new front pads and rotors back in February.

 

Squeak:

Check for a bent wheel splash guard.

 

I didn't see anything that looked out of place or bent. I'm not trying to be too technical, but its more of a creak (think of walking on a hard wood floor in a really old house and the creak that is often heard) than a squeak. I'd make a video of it, but it doesn't do it all the time so its hard to replicate.

 

This is driving me nuts. My mechanic looked it over and said there is absolutely nothing wrong with the car. I need an inspection sticker next month, so while I had it there, I had them give it a new sticker as well. This guy doesn't just give out stickers easily, it cost my Dad $1200 for a sticker on his 2004 Sierra just a couple of months ago. My Civic passed inspection with flying colors and has been deemed healthy.