01 Town & Country. Van has 138,000 miles. Normally this van had pretty good front end, no pull or play. I started to drive it around the inner city, ( bad roads ), and now the steering has about 4 inches of play and a single clunk when turning at times.

I stood outside the van and turned the steering wheel and at one point the left front wheel seemed to bind and then jump. Have not had a chance to take it to a shop.
Really don't want to drive it much in this condition. The lug nuts are tight. I did notice not long ago, a clunk in the steering column, like a piece of heavy metal in the shroud. Play in wheel when motor is turned off also.
Any ideas on what this problem is? Will let you know in couple weeks when take it to shop. Thanks