Ford: clunking sound from left front tire (drivers side), 1995 ford windstar, ford windstar

Question
I need to find out what part/parts need to be fixed.  We've been under some insane road construction for what seems like a couple years.  With all the potholes, steel plates, and other stuff we've been driving over on our public roads, our van (1995 Ford Windstar) is now making a clunking noise up front.  I put the van up on stands and shook the drivers side tire with a left to right motion and there's a little play that is not existent on the passengers side.  There seems to be only a left to right movement when I checked it.  So I went under the car to see what parts were moving.  Right where the steering rod enters  into whatever it's slipped into (under the engine, not the wheel side) it moves in and out a few inches when you put pressure left to right on the tire.  It's the same rod that moves when you turn the steering wheel, thus I call it the steering rod.  Does this mean it's a steering gear problem?  Is that rod supposed to be locked into that box somehow?  It's getting to be very bad now.  Most obvious time the clunking sound is heard is accelerating, decelerating by letting go the gas peddle, turning and driving on rough roads.  I'm wondering if it's the CV joint that's allowing the tire to move when it's not supposed to or is it really some kind of steering gear/rod problem?  Please shed some light for us.  

Answer
Robert,

It sounds like you need ball joints and inner and outter tie rods. You probably would need the CV joint as well if it has been as rough as you say. To be safe I would recommend redoing the entire front end. Hope that this helps and if you need further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me. Good luck.


Ken