Well, I was driving down the road minding my own business I hear this metal noise not sure what it is. Never saw anything look bad. I hit a bump and I hear some metal fall out. Hit another some more falls out. Now my tire is sitting Sideways just about. On an angle versus straight. I will get some pictures but does anyone know what this is?

Chris

 

sounds like a broken ball joint

 

Oh how much are those? And how can I tell?

Chris

 

Here are the Pictures:

http://checktechltd.com/Truck/

Couldn't get it to work on here...

 

I would jack it up and take the wheel off. but it looks like a ball joint to me. your lucky you didnt lose it

 

Jackthe truck up and put it in a stand. Get a helper tograb on to the top and bottom of the tire.Have them try to shake the tire by pushing the top in and out while you watch the suspension. The tire should not move but if it does you'll be able to see where the slop is.

 

upper ball joint is bad. When you replace the upper do the lower one also.

 

Yup, that's what it looks like. I've seen the wheels come damn near off and the frame hit the ground when that happens. Could be a wheel bearing too, my 99 4x4 did that, wheel was cocked off just like that. When I had it fixed he asked if I had it towed, I said no, and he said I was lucky I made it there. So it's one of the 2. Neither is an extraordinary amount of money to fix. My wheel bearing was $100 installed. Ball joints are about $40-$50 each, plus installation.

 

Can you do this yourself? Do you u need a mechanic to do it?

Chris

 

make sure its not just thewheel bearing....