Clicking/clunking/binding/rubbing/knocking...idk weird noise

[frtnokr]

1984 240 wagon, manual trans, 307,000 miles but only 7k mine.

When I shift into 2nd, right when it grabs and I apply gas, I get what sounds like binding in the front passenger wheel, like a card in bike spokes but clunkier. And loud. Louder and faster with speed but it’s irregular, not in perfect rhythm.

Noise started an hour from home so just towed it back. After that but before working on it, found power steering fluid overflowing from the reservoir. After a cleanup and a couple runs around the block, the level stayed normal. Steering has been fine from the get go.

Clutch or neutral doesn't stop the noise but seems to de-intensify it, mostly it's relative to motion/acceleration. I put it on 4 jack stands and went through every gear, trans checks out. Engine rev in neutral sounds smooth, same if I push down the clutch pedal and rev.

Front wheels turn with no real noise but some play. I need new tie rods for sure. Joints seem old. Nothing shouting shot bearings but maybe. Hell it could all use an overhaul, it's just I've never heard any of that stuff make such a catastrophic noise all of a sudden.

So do I redo the rods, joints etc and see if that solves it, or should I be worrying about the rack? Or something else?

[volvolugnut]

When you had it on jack stands did you try to spin the front wheels fast by hand and see if you had noise? You may have a front bearing or brake part loose. Or could be a foreign object caught in the wheel or hub cap. Slow turning the wheel may not reveal the noise. Maybe try taking to a tire shop with on vehicle tire balance machine to spin the wheel?

May be a loose shock or sway bar link - that sounds most likely.

[frtnokr]

Spun front wheels fast as I could get them going by hand, didn't get any rattle. Was due for tire rotation so I did that too, with hubcaps and tires off I didn't find any loose objects or brake issues. Could be a bearing going real wacky. Shock or sway bar seem plausible too. Thx