Dont you have to jack the car up and see if there is any movement if you hold the wheel at 3 oclock and 9 oclock and push and pull it???
If I remember right any play will be track rod ends.
12 oclock and 6 oclock movement is suspension/bushes wear.
Could the knocking be from the drive shafts/cv joints.
Hope Ritchy comes on and gives his advice, as he knows what he is talking about, my knowledge goes back to midgets and MGB's, not used to these new cars.
