2000 Protege LX, 80,000 miles

About a year ago car began making knocking or klunking sound when going over bumps. I jacked front end and held top and bottom of tire. Tried "rocking" it but it seemed tight. Tried this on left and right front tires. Sound has become more obvious in the last couple of months.

Pulled wheels and can't find anything "loose" or any play in suspension.

Does this sound like a ball joint problem? Dying struts? No handling or steering problems or other weird sounds.

Sound is definitely related to suspension on front end (not a loose pipe or cable).

If it's ball joints, can I bolt on replacements, or is it a total pain (special tools, rivets, etc.)?

Thanks.
Tom

 

That sounds like a strut problem to me.

 

Could the endlinks be sloppy - but when you jack you put tension on them and they don't shake easily? Try a shake on the ground or jack,jack stand and then jack the suspension to take tension off...

Is there dirty fluid on the wheel (and on the strut)?

How many miles on the struts - they may be due anyway...