More suspension issues.

[nightroamer]

Hi guys, in the last few days I've noticed some weird noises from the front of my car. first off the front off side has developed a metal knoking over bumps, like something's loose 
Now the front off side is doing something similar.
I'm fairly sure I can feel play in both wheels if I pull the top of the wheel back and forth.if I bash my tire with my palm the nearside sounds loose, like metal clanging 
Don't think it's wheel bearings as I've felt that before.

Sorry for terrible descriptions....
Oh also when I brake there is an initial clunk and slight pedal movement.

What should I look for? Any likely candidates?

[Screech16v]

Top mounts ?

[nightroamer]

How do I check these?

[Screech16v]

Jack the car up ,grab the top of the strut at the top see if you can feel for any movement.Or get a bar between the floor and tyre a leaver it up and down slighty whilst checking for play .

[nightroamer]

Cool, anything else I should check whilst I jack it up as I'll have to borrow a jack off a mate.
How much work is involved in renewing the bushes and bearings etc to refurb the whole front running gear.

[Screech16v]

Yeah ,trackrods,cv gaitors,steering rack gaitors,wheel bearings,control arm bushes,ball joints, arb bushes.Not masses of work mainly just spanners,you can get new arms with the bushes allready fitted or can have a go at buying the bushes separatly and fitting them into the old arms,bearings wise you could whip the hubs off and get a local garage to fit them for beer tokens,thats if they need doing anyway,ive done them before with a vice ,hammer and large sockets all depends on how compitant you are

[nightroamer]

Thanks for all the replies guys. Borrowing a jack tomorrow so I can have a look at what's going on down there.

Has anyone got any pics of the front setup? Few labels and circles drawn would be amazing.

[Leon27]

Crude but might help...

http://www.ppcgb.com/uploads/images/product/PowerFlex_bushes/VolkswagenGolfMk3%281992-1998%29.jpg

Sound like top mounts as said already but also check number 2 as well - front wishbone bushes, could be the case that both mounts have failed

[Seanl]

Or could just be loose wheel nuts. 

[nightroamer]

Thanks guys, gonna have a look now