Steering clunk and loose steering wheel

Hey, I am having an issue somewhere in my steering. When backing into my parking spot the other night, I had the wheel fully to one side. I heard a clunk and I feel the vibration in the steering wheel too. Since then I've had loose steering, and I can feel and hear that clunk as I turn the wheel.

The wheel will change positions on what is straight. I will attach a picture below. I've mostly stopped driving it because I don't think its safe. I just got an alignment done about two months ago. Has anyone ran into this before?

 

If it is changing positions that much, I’d check the intermediate shaft an it’s splined connections.

 

Have a helper wiggle the steering wheel while you get under and look

 

wheel bearing, tie rod, loose rack bushings, lower BJ, loose ujoint on steering rack

Need to go under and look for play in the above items

 

Sounds like the rack is skipping teeth?

You better get that looked at A.S.A.P.!

 

I'm willing to bet your steering rack bolts loosened up. When you turn especially at a dead stop is probably when you're hearing the clunking noise which is your rack shifting throwing off your steering wheel alignment. Video was my steering rack after I installed ES poly bushings. Retighten your rack bolts should fix the problem https://youtube.com/shorts/cVDlhLhoYoE

 

CV axle too? I found play in that, and a small tear in the boot so it will need to be replaced.

 

CV axle can do it as well. there should be no play at the wheel side. There is some play at the diff splines but not the CV