Thread revival hoping for an update. Have very similar symptoms I have summarized below.
"...weather is in the 80's it makes a lot of noise like a groaning" Tie Rod/Ends, Sway/Roll Bar, Intermediate Shaft?
An awful embarrassing sound heard easily in bumper to bumper traffic, or in my most recent case, leaving the gym in a parking lot next to a wall. Observed that it's less present when the weather is colder, especially in the winter months.
Front end/steering wheel vibration at highway speeds 55mph+ Tie Rod/Ends?
Pretty straight forward, but I haven't noticed any uneven or abnormal tire wear out of this, at least not yet. Perhaps it's not bad enough."
Doesn't have the steering lock symptom at 1/4 steering wheel turn, lower ball joints seem solid, I don't have any hub noise as far as I know. The only things left to replace are the tie rods and ends, sway bar, and lower ball joints on the front end. Unfortunately, there's a considerable price difference between any of the possibilities, especially when trying to locate an intermediate shaft. What do some of the elder users think on here? Best practice of where to start, cheapest parts (sway bar believe it or not), or most probable (I'm thinking tie rods)?
Putting 'er up on stands tomorrow. Figured I could rule out the sway bar by disconnecting it from the end links, I think I've read that on here somewhere.