SteveL1

Recently started getting a knocking sounds from the passenger side front suspension and not sure how to determine it it's the tie rod, upper or lower control arm or something else. I've read a bunch of threads that cover how to replace the bad item but none of them talk about diagnosing which is in need of replacement.

I jacked up the car and can feel a little more play in the upper control arm on the passenger side compared to the driver side and everything else seems tight on both sides. How do you really tell which part needs to be replaced short of having a shop inspect it?

I need to do brakes so I figure it would be smart to tackle all of it at the same time. Thanks for any help!

Boom vang

Jack up the car and grab the wheel:

at 9 and 3 o'clock and try to move in and out - if there is play it is your outer tie rod

at 12 and 6 o'clock if there is play then it is your lower ball joints, of the 2 lower control arms

at all directions and minor play it could be your wheel bearings

Since the car is MacStrut up front there are no upper control arms but rather 2 lower control arms or cross strut and torque strut

It could also be the bushings at the end of the cross and torque strut

SteveL1

Is the strut (control arm) located toward the front of the car the cross strut or torque strut? This is the one exhibiting some play.