very loud popping in frontend

[Big Ragu]

hi guys. I have a very loud popping noise coming fron the left front wheel. So i got under the truck and saw that my inner tierod on the driver side looks like its bent all the way back too the axle!! I dont have an idea how it got that way. Also my steering wheel is no longer centered. its about 90 degrees out. the tierod adjusting sleve is rubbing on the end of the axle housing. Also guys ....how can you tell if your ball joints are bad? I looked at them and see no tears or rips in the boots. sometimes when i look at the front of the truck it looks like the wheels are tipped in at the top and other times it looks just fine. Some of my freinds who have ford trucks say that is normal because of the ttb setup. Is this true?. All you guys are great and have helped me with everything I went to yous with so any help yous can give me will be great. OH by the way.....Its a 93 bronc 302 e4od with 35's

Thanks

ragu

 

[Roadkill]

The tie rod problem is hard to understand from description; sounds like something is bent. Maybe you could post a picture of the parts that are rubbing? Ball joints are easy to check. Jack the front wheel up off the ground then grab the wheel at the top and bottom and try to wiggle the wheel in and out at the top and bottom by pushing with one hand and pulling with the other at the same time. There should not be any movement. As for the tops tilting in or out that could be caused by bad ball joints or miss-alignment which it soulds like you have from the position of your steering wheel. The reason it looks ok at times and tipped at others would be due to the direction you were going when you stopped. (forward or reverse)

 

[carp78]

check your wheel bearings also.

 

[mbtech2003]

besides ball joints the front springs could be sagging. i replaced mine 2 years ago because one broke...damn rust... after i replaced them the front end was up and looking normal again