in my 91 std i get a nasty grinding kinda cracking sound when i have the steering wheel fully locked in one direction and moving. it doesnt sound like a cv joint clicking or anything its more of a grinding/cracking noise. what could it be?

also i get kinda a thumping sound when i hit bumps and im pretty sure i need new ball joints.

 

the grinding noise could be your intermediate shaft. not enought detail to really tell.

and the noise you are hearing over bumps, might be your controll arm bushings

 

Does the stock std even have an intermediate shaft?
I don't think it does.

Grinding noise might be your wheel bearings.

 

axels, there is no half shaft.

 

that'll be your wheel bearing's my man, jack up your car and move the whole wheel up and down and side to side while its on the car. you'll know if its a wheel bearing once you move it. should be play there.

oh just for ***** and giggles check your power steering pump reservior and check the fluid level, thats the only other thing i can think of that'll make such noise. your rack and pinion is dryed up and its yelling at you to add fuild in it.

 

i had the same situation and when i was pulling the axles out for a swap, one of them was snapped in half haha

 

i have a dohc zc swapped in. also it is only in first gear takin off until i get goin around 10 mph with steering wheel turned fully locked in either direction