170k miles of blasting around town, racing, and pizza delivery...and the wheel bearings are about the only original equipment left on my car. (I think I just jinxed myself)

Dont just be a parts-swapper...

Looseness in the wheel could be bad inner or outer tie rods, any of the 3 ball joints, worn steering column joint...or that wheel bearing. I would say that is least likely of all those. Or it could be like my wheel, and just clunk ever since I R&Red the steering wheel itself, even though all the linkage is new.