Identify my crunch noise please!

[Salgar]

Hi,

I have a really great crunching noise coming from my steering. It only happens when the car is moving, I can't replicate it at all when it is still. It mostly happens when turning left, and only happens on slow 90 degree or more corners, because the steering has to get past a certain point (I'd say steering wheel past 80 degrees to the left). The car then makes a noise like it's cracking its knuckles, and it seems to come from around the front left (could be coming from the rack, or the suspension in the front left). It happens when turning right too but it's less obvious.

I'm not really sure how to figure it out. It also doesn't seem to happen straight away, only after the car has warmed up a bit (but I could be making this bit up, it might happen straight away.)

Any Ideas? I know I'm going to end up taking it somewhere. It could also be my imagination, but it feels like the car isn't very steady on its feet at the moment, feels like it's wobbling laterally, but very slightly, but that may be in my head, and leaky tyres.

[bluetone]

I am guessing perished/worn rubber bushes somewhere in the front suspension/tracking/anti-roll etc bars

You can check by jacking the car up and inspecting these parts visually, also by pushing/pulling the wheel or prying around under there to see if there is excessive movement.

Hopefully not difficult or expensive to fix (but you would need the right tools/experience - Google is your friend).

bt