need suspension/ steering noise advice

[PlanZero]

I've replaced various suspension parts on various dsms and this one's got me stumped. When I turn left, I hear and feel a pop sound when I'm straightening the wheel from the turn. I also hear/feel the same sound when turning onto higher ground, and a slight rattle. I replaced the inner and outer tie rods, and it's still there. I can't find any play in my ball joints. When I replaced my struts awhile back, I noticed the upper joints were a little loose, but no worse than my other DSM. When I grab the wheel from top and bottom, there's no play, but when I grab it from the sides I can feel a slight bit of play. No symptoms of bad wheel hub, other than the play, and if it was the hub, would it be making those sounds? The only thing I can think of is that one of my ball joints is popping when the wheel is turning, but I can't seem to duplicate the scenario with a jack and pry bar. It only happens when the full weight is on the wheels.

 

[RamenPride]

Maybe CV joint

 

[pauleyman]

Ball joints are so cheap you could try it. Did you check Control arm bushings?

 

[rough]

How do your strut towers look? Are they rusty? How are the boots on the cv axles? Can you replicate the sound every time?

 

[PlanZero]

OK just went for another drive, after a careful inspection. This is not a CV click. Strut towers are fine, with new complete struts/springs/mounts. I can feel it as I turn on various inclines, leading me back to ball joints. Yes, they're cheap, and I already planned on replacing the uppers when I noticed they were sloppy. What pisses me off is that they all look fine, including the bushings, compared to my other Tsi (which makes no noise). The recall was done 10 yrs ago, so it's fair to say they may be wearing out, and as far as I know the compression arms are original. The only other thing I can think of is the steering rack bushings.