when i turn my wheel any way i get a loud thumping noise from the front end. could it be the ball joints????anybody know sometimes it does it when i turn also somebody e-mail me

Maybe a bad CV joint.

Clunking when making a turn such as at an intersection or into a parking spot is more then likely a CV joint.

what about a grinding/rumbling noise when turning only one way. I know bad CV joints are more of a clicking noise. any idea

Well if they are bad enough they will actually start to CLUNK, Normally you will get a small clicking noise when you turn but it is typically very quiet and unheard by most people, but when they go bad it is a nice 'clunk ker put de clunk ker put' and just speed that noise up for high speed turns and slow it down for parking lot manuevers. Thanks!!

Very nice description!

Thank you very much!!!!!

Sounds like my wife explaining something!

Try looking at the outer tie rods first. A CV joint wont typically be worn unless the boot around it is torn and all or most of the grease has leaked out; an uncommon problem for one of these unless you have a zillion miles on it. In most cases, if a tie rod gets loose enough, it will tend to clunk and click intermittently especially when turning. It's also possible that you have a worn or sticking strut upper bearing plate.

I dont think its a bad cv joint because the boots are in really good shape. the car has 146000 miles on it and it runs awesome with the 3800 engine. I think its the ball joints becuase the tires sit on a inward angle while parked and thats caused my the ball joints having to much play in them also ive noticed on many 97 grand prixs they tend to whine a little while taking off from first to second gear???? ive looked it up and its the power steering pump whining........./....../........

Are you the original owner?

no im the second owner

Worn ball joints on one of these cars is very unusual. Even if a ball joint is worn, it's not likely that you would actually be able to physically see the wheels tilted in at all. If that's really so, then that would mean that the ball joint is worn to the point of being dangerous, which most likely isn't the case. If the wheels were also tilted that much that you could actually see it, you'd be going through tires like crazy. Remember that the front camber specs on these cars is on the positive side, which would give the tires appearance to tilt inward on the top. Lastly, there's only one ball joint per side, and it's a lower, which wouldn't cause the wheel to tilt either in or out if worn.

Is it possible the former owner just had the boots replaced, hiding the damage that was to come after he sold the car?

Might be where the strut sits against the strut tower. The rubber thingy (I have CRS right now)is probably worn so your strut is dancing around more then it should.