This is happening to a friend of mine's car. A 1995 Civic Si (Canadian) I was just outside checking this out to see if it was a CV boot or axle however here's a description of the problem.

This does not happen when there is no weight on the wheels (jacked up) so I've got a feeling it's a worn balljoint. However when the car is sitting on the ground whether moving or not when the wheel is jerked to the left there is a loud clunking noise. I can feel the reaction to this clunk all the way up into the upper control arm so I'm thinking either a) worn balljoints or b) tie rod end or c) wheel bearings

Does anyone have a clue as to what this might be? It's getting progressively worse. I was just driving the car and even if the wheel was turned slightly the noise would happen.

Thanks in advance guys!!!

 

did you put the jack under your lower control arm to take the wieght off the lower ball joint?

 

jack up the car from the frame (behind the front wheel) and try and move the wheel assembly. if it moves left and right, tie rod. if it moves in and out, ball joint. spin the wheel if you hear grinding, bearing. and of course visually check the axles.

 

Thanks guys. I knew it was one or the other. I jacked it up again before she went home and determined it's a tie rod.