2001 Chrysler Town and Country hard to turn then clunk

I have a 2001 Chrysler T&C...when ever the van sits for any time above over an hour the sterring doesn't want to turn...then with a clunk it will go...then for the first few miles of a trip it will cluck when ever you go back and forth on the steering wheel...ultimately it goes away for the trip...please don' tell me it's the steering rack...maybe an outer or inner tie-rod?..any help is taken gladly since this is my family car and carries my wife and kiddos... THANKS!