Chevrolet Repair: 99 Buick Park Ave 3.8L Non super, buick park ave, blood sweat and tears

Question
Hi,
I've been missing the problem with a noise in the front end of my car. It has been making a sort of light clunk upon turning or when the car bounces, from some pressure point under the left front, right in the area of the axle/strut/tire. I checked the front out. The wheel bearing was loose, I replaced it. The tie rod boot was ripped off, I replaced it. The ball joint had a little play, I replaced it. The axle looked good, in that the boots are intact and it looks clean. The strut tower assembly looks fine too, if you can really tell anything by looking. After doing what I did, it seems like the noise is a little bit worse. I'm familiar with axles going bad. They usually have a cut boot and click with the succession of rotation of the tire when turning. This noise is different because it seems to do it under any sort of change in pressure or tension on that particular side. I can make it make noise by vigorously turning the steering wheel back and forth going slow down the road. It's bothering me that I haven't fixed it yet and I've already put 250$ plus my blood, sweat and tears into this. What I'm not sure is whether the axle is bad and I just never heard one go bad in that way before. Or is the strut tower to blame for this pressure related knock/clunk? I guess it stands to reason that the strut tower dampener at the top could cause this, but I really am not sure. Do you have any ideas for me? There can't be but two possibilities left, I think. Thank you.

Answer
Hi Mike,
One thing you didn't mention is the rack and pinion gear mounting bushings.
If you can get under the car with the full weight of the car still on the ground, have someone turn the steering wheel back and forth while you are under there touching and listening.

One way to check excess play in the strut tower is hold the brakes applied, and shift from foreward to reverse, etc. Best done while you are looking, and someone you trust at the wheel.

Lower "A" frame bushings are another possibility.

Van