i just replaced the axels on both sides and now when the car is parked and i grab the wheel and move it to either side it makes a clunk noise when it comes back to the "neutral spot. everything looks good, just as you turn the wheel and let go it makes a clunk when it comes back to the rest position or whatever you call it. Does this mean i have something broke or loose somewhere in the steering rack or could it be something else??

 

Have someone shake the wheel and you can inspect the suspension to see what is loose or worn. I would double check that all of the components you had to remove are tight including the axle nut.

 

yes i double and triple checked everything, and they are tight. The car has some ball joints that need replacing because you can hear them while driving down the road, but as far as for the car sitting with the engine off what else could cause that clunk sound?

 

Shaking the wheel with engine off is the way I have always checked suspension components that move with the wheel which in your case are inner and outer tie rods ends and the rack itself. I believe you have a type of u joint attaching the steering column to the rack also to check. It is possible if something like a ball Joint is extremely loose with show up also but in general just what I listed for you. Did you torque the axle nuts as they will do strange things if not tight enough?

 

Sounds like you already know what's wrong...?
Fix the ball joints & see if the klunking goes away.