Really weird front end clunk (was embarrasing 4k sway bar Q)

[Jpinkowish at aol.com]

> 1) Thunk or pop during hard left turns, like parking
> 2) Steering wheel straight, then will 'pop' and be off center while
> going straight   (after a turn, usually a left). Tracks basically ok
> with only a slight pull off center. Squirrely, unpredictable cornering
> during left turns.
> 3) With the wheel turned hard left and pushing the car slowly, I can see
> the RF wheel 'pop' along with the thunk sound.

Check to see that your slotted nut that secures the strut bearing to the 
strut shaft is properly torqued to 36 ft lb.  If too loose, the strut will 
clunk over small road imperfections only at low speed(BT, fixed that).  If 
overtightened, the strut bearing can bind and then release, giving the 
"clunking sound"(someone chime in here if this last bit is incorrect).

This won't explain the squirrley steering.  I would recheck the control arm 
bushes w/pry bar.  

I think that your reverse gear problem is separate and unrelated to the 
suspension clunk.  Check shifter linkage for bits of lodged gravel/worn parts?

Jan Pinkowish
'85 4ksq
Bristol, CT