Suspension/control problems

[jfmay]

Hello, I am a newbie.
I have been having an ongoing problem with my wife's '91 Lesabre Limited.It started more than a year ago, with a clunking sound in the front end.
It happens mostly when maneuvering at lower speeds and when you hit a dip in the road.
The first thing I did, last year, was replace the axle assemblies, which had shredded boots.
No change.
A couple of months ago, it started with another problem, dont know if it is related.
At cruising and highway speeds, when you come out of a curve (mostly right curves) it feels like something shifts and pushes the car sideways.
This is becoming more pronounced and more often.
A month ago I replaced the drivers outer tie rod end, which was getting loose.
No change except for the shaking that the bad tie rod produced.
I have looked all over the front end, above and below and I cant see or feel anything that is moving or loose.
All suggestions welcome.

[spinne1]

Check your engine/transmission mounts. Then check your ball joints, your control arms, your CV joints (you said you replaced the axle assemblies, but what exactly do you mean?), check your steering gear for play, check your tires, the wheels themselves, the wheel assembly, the bolts holding the wheel assembly in place, the springs. One of these things is likely bad.

[maxwedge]

Agreed, particulary the ball joints, common symptom for your problems, check the rears also.

[jfmay]

Thank you both for the replies.
I have finally gotten time to get back under it.
I put it up on jack stands, on non suspension points and thoroughly looked at, and tried to shake every connection point.
All that I did find was that the klunking sound is coming from the front strut springs.
As the steering is turned back and forth, the tops of the springs are rotating but not smoothly as they do so, producing the klunk sound.
Are they supposed to turn?
I am guessing that with full weight on the wheels, I would feel and hear it well, but would that produce the sudden shift feeling that I explained?
By axle assemblies I mean the full, two piece axle, with c/v joint, from transmission to wheel.

Thank you, Jim

[Scrapper]

if not lower ball joints? it could be your upper bearing plate on your strut or struts. they act as your upper ball joints but there called struts.you checked your stablelizer links and bushings right? good luck hope it helps.

scrapper1

[Jrs3800]

I agree... You also need to check the Sway Bar Bushings...

If the bearing plate is bad you will have to take the Strut mount assemblies off to replace the Bearing plate... This means removing the spring as well... If you have to do this you'll want to replace the struts as well while you are there..