98 xlt 4x4 got the tire leaning /---\ not to sure if it is the ball joints or tie rods. dont want to spend a bunch of money on stuff i dont need(kinda broke) any ideas?

 

Have YOU visually checked out your front suspension?

It could be worn springs, bad suspension components, anything really.You need to have someone properly diagnose whats causing your camber issues. It could be a simple alignment problem or a chain of small problems from your suspension. We can suspect what is is, but that won't help you with replacing it properly without a bit of money being spent. Some places will even do a front end inspection for free (in hopes of selling you services) and you can always take that info and get fix the problem yourself.

 

Tires leaning in at the top is positive camber, negative camber is them leaning out. Ball joints would be the cuprit. Tie rod ends are for the adjustment of toe-in or toe-out. Castor is confusing to describe, imagine a straight line going from upper to lower ball joint. This line, if viewed from the side will be pitched either forward or rearward, positive is to the rear. Castor is measured while the wheels are at their turn extremety.

Now all that being said, I hope you realize you need to have an alignment done after any repairs are made to the front suspension.

 

Tires leaning in at the top is negative camber not positive

 

Get the whole front suspension rebuilt and an aligment. It'll drive like new then. Or if you wanna save a few hundred just try upper and lower balljoints and an alignment. Newer vehicle i would say just get an alignment and be done with it, but a 98 with probably quite a few miles the balljoints are likely worn.

 

thanks for the input