yes, i took the wheel off today. saw no "new" bends in the rust which it would show, and nothing broken.

nothing is broke.

 

It doesn't take 2 working cells to know that something is broken. If you feel that nothing is, just keep driving on it and let us know how you make out in a few weeks.

Save some money for some new tires in the meantime.

 

Have your tried having a buddy turn the steering wheel while you look under to see whats going on?

 

Take it to an alignment shop. Id check to make sure everything is tight and no bolts have snapped or anything. Something has got to be wrong for the tire to be like that.

 

Drive on THIS?! He'll end up doing MORE damage driving on that "for a few weeks"...take it to an alignment shop ASAP!

 

i haven't. i will try that.

 

I would say nothing is broke. The top A arms have cam adjusters that may have losend up. Look at the cams and see if they have turned. I can get a pic of mine if you would like? I would also jack the truck up and see how much you can move the wheel, side to side and in and out.

 

ok the first pic looks like a broken ball joint BUT u would be riding on the tire s its not that have u lifted it off the ground atall by chance yet? see if it hangs or if it only sinks a lil as the suspension lets out. Your by chance havent hit a curb hard or anything have u it also looks like its possible a Bent Lower A-Arm or the upper Busshings could be broken and u just cant see it

 

Did you find any empties on the floor as well when you first noticed this problem?

I agree that you should raise the tire off the ground and look for overall play. If you have lots of play then your ball joint is probably toast - take it to an alignment shop as they'll only charge you probably $40 to take a quick look.

 

i'd like a pic for reference

 

wherever i jack up the truck, the jack leans to one side, under i back it down and do it again and the wheel moves freely left to right, but not up and down. any help?

 

You turn the cam bolt to move the A arm. That is what the shop will turn to fix the alignment. You should be able to see if one or both have moved. Then just losen them up with the truck off the ground and put them back. Or just mess with since you don't drive it on the road yet right?

 

Oh yah, and if there has been any "air time" that may not be the problem. Is this something new? Or has it been this way?

 

just got this way. slid into a tree and the front wheel hit it.

 

You idiot, if you slid into a tree, then it didnt "just happen". You are so smart. No wonder it is like that. Your a genius. Have a great ******ing day!