Ball joint?

[Tonyr]

I was turning sharp left in a confined driveway trying to get out and I heard a thud like I ran something over. Car seems to run fine but there was nothing in the driveway to be run over. Would itmaybe be a ball joint or tie rod??? I had the wheel turned all the way left.

Thanks

[GTP Dad]

How does the car feel when you turn the wheel? If the tie rod broke you will have not steering on the side you heard the noise on. If the ball joint broke the wheel will not move properly either. It is also possible that you broke the sway bar. I would jack the car up and look at everything before trying to drive it very far. Make sure you check both sides!

[jimmytroanoke]

What are the hard stops on the steering comprised of. On My Mercury (I know, different kind of front end) the rubber is gone from the steering stops and it makes a horrible noise at the slightest bump if the steering is at one lock or another. Nothing wrong except a missing piece of rubber. I would look under my GP for ideas today, but I've got 6" of snow on the ground and more falling as we speak! Sorry!

[kustomkid54]

Originally Posted by GTP Dad

How does the car feel when you turn the wheel? If the tie rod broke you will have not steering on the side you heard the noise on. If the ball joint broke the wheel will not move properly either. It is also possible that you broke the sway bar. I would jack the car up and look at everything before trying to drive it very far. Make sure you check both sides!

Good advise.

[Tonyr]

It's weird...I turned both ways completely and have heard nothing since. I drove it to work today (38 miles) and everything handled and felt fine. Maybe I ran over my wife...I havent seen her since yesterday.

[GTP Dad]

You only wiish! I would check the sway bar. Mine broke and it sounded just like the sound you indicated. If you hit a bump you will hear it hitting. Usually doesn't hinder the handling too much unless you are really hitting the corners hard.

[Tonyr]

Where exactly is the sway bar?

Thank you.

[GTP Dad]

The sway bar is the metal bar that crosses behind the engine and adds stability to the car when you go in to a turn. It is usually connected to the lower a-arm with a rubber link. It looks like a big metal tube with the ends mashed shut. If you look at the back of the wheel on the suspension you should see the sway bar. It is held to the frame with rubber bushings covered with a large metal strap. Hope this helps you identify it!

Looks like this!
http://home.swbell.net/jorem/addco_sway_bars.htm

[Tonyr]

power steering went completely out today. Took it to the shop and both hoses were leaking bad. I asked them about the popping sounds and they said it was probably cause the reservoir and lines were bone dry. Lucky I didn't burn the power steering pump motor.

Thanks for everyone's help and I'm just glad it wasn't something worse.