Interesting that just after I had a mechanic, that I have never used
change my muffler, as soon as I drove it home I could hear a
"clunk-clunk-clunk' eminating from my left side of my 98 Maxima GXE.

Well since I previously had cv points replaced on another car, I
suspected that.

Interesting that another garage found that ball joint was well worn on
the same side. Had that changed. Asked this mechanic about the clunking
noise and he suspected a strut problem. His inspection was that they
were weak but that did not necessitate a replacement.

About a month later I noticed the tire on right front wheel had much
more wear than the left one. No indication of under/overinflation wear,
just even wear through.

Could either the struts or cv joints or both be sysmptom of this tire
wear?

There are Michlin MXV4 tires and quite expensive.

My feeling is that the cv joints are worn.

Also, how can one diagnose this problem propertly and cost effectively?

As I mentioned on my previous car, I had the rack changed first ($400),
another
mentioned transmission problems, until I demanded they inspect the cv
joints.