Hello again everyone. I just replaced my lower control arms for the second time as the driver side was shot and making what I assumed was the only noise that I heard while driving. However, after replacing the control arms I still have a very similar noise remaining. I do not find any play at the outer tie rod ends ,anti sway bar bushings or sway bar end links that I can discern. When I have a helper turn the steering wheel back and forth and I grab the tie rod I can feel a slight vibration / clunk every time I hear the noise when the wheel goes left to right back and forth. Is that a symptom of inner tie rod?..or is not" seeing "movement at the outer tie rods a mistake and that they could still be bad? I have no unusual tire wear as this noise began only about a month ago and incidentally I noticed the bad control arms which have now been replaced.
I was going to replace the sway bar end links and the bushings because I was certain that was the problem, then I noticed this tie rod noise and clunkiness. Is any vibration or noise coming from the tie rod normal? And if I do replace them how involved is it?

 

How did you check swaybar links? I spent months trying to track down clunks. I tried jiggling all suspension parts with vehicle on and off the ground. I even passed a state safety inspection with suspension rattling. Ended up being swaybar links found by rocking car side to side by the a pillar.

 

Thanks ccernst.
I put a pry bar everywhere I could to cause movement in end link, outer tie rod and sway bar bushings. I imagine I'd have to remove outer tie rod end and push in /out to more accurately diagnose inner tie rod... but, after your reply I think I'm going to replace end links and sway bar bushings first.

 

I have a 2008 XLS and had the left outer tie rod end go bad at 120k kms, and the right outer go bad at 160k kms. Best way to check is to jack up the front wheel(s) and check the wheel for play on all 4 axis by rocking the wheel back and forth. In both cases I heard a noise while driving over bumps and there was detectable play when rocking in back and forth. Haven't had to repair or replace any other suspension or steering components so far.

 

Thanks for the help. Unfortunately I did that and found no play anywhere except for a slight vibration along inner tie rod when wheel moved side to side. not sure if its just a normal sound or vibration from the rack? I did rock the car at the A- pillar and replicated some noise but not sure if the same.