I occasionally hear a thunk (even feel it through the steering wheel) when making a very low speed turn, or when I put it in reverse and the car starts to move it also does it.

All I can think of is maybe tie rod ends, or maybe something in the steering?

When I had the car jacked up yesterday to put wheels on I tugged on the wheels and there was no play...


Think ball joints would already be going out at 80K?

 

Are you lowered? And if you are, how low are you? It's possible the ball joints could be out if you're rolling slammed.

 

Nah, stock height.

When I change the oil next time I'll have to inspect all the ball joints...

 

cv joints

 

Do you know if this is something that the 100k extended warranty would cover?

 

Probably under drivetrain?

 

Have you determined what is causing the noise yet?

If you were asking if the cv joints would be covered, then yes all levels of the ToyotaCare extended service plans cover them (they're listed under "Axle Assembly").

http://www.toyotafinancial.com/consu...QRF_Reader.pdf