Bent Axle? Positive Tire Camber

[RyanRick]

Hello,
Last year I purchased a 2020 Gladiator Max Tow that had previously been in an accident. The previous owner swapped front axle and all seemed well until this year when I noticed the front tires wearing unevenly. There is noticeable positive camber on each front tire. I'd like to fix this before buying new wheels/tires, but I am not sure how deep the issue lies. I have not had an official alignment performed, but I should be able to measure the camber with my digital level and a straightedge.

If I am on the right track, I should be able to swap the ball joint bushings to some offset versions (like this: https://www.northstarmfg.com/series/44-6030 Series.html)

Thoughts?

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[ShadowsPapa]

Wow, I can see it without measuring. All I can think of is something is bent - or very worn ball joints.
Have you raised up either end of the front axle and tried using a bar or lever and move the tire/wheel in/out or up/down?

 

[MoxiesDad]

How are the hub bearings? Worn hub bearings can cause the tire to lean like that. Jack up the front so the tires clear the ground and try to wiggle the wheels and check for slop.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

How are the hub bearings? Worn hub bearings can cause the tire to lean like that. Jack up the front so the tires clear the ground and try to wiggle the wheels and check for slop.

Shouldn't hub bearings result in a tilt-in or negative camber, making it look like a small Honda with a fart can that can't take fast intersection corners?

 

[Rusty PW]

Get an alignment first to know what exactly is going on. Without an alignment, you're just guessing.

 

[whysoserious]

It's probably just the camera angle but it looks like some toe-in as well.

 

[RyanRick]

Thanks for all of the comments. I'll certainly need an alignment before buying any adjustment parts. I'd like to know what the options are once the inevitable positive camber measurement comes in.

I individually lifted each front tire and used a crow bar to look for any slop near the knuckle. Pushed front/back and top/bottom - no movement noticed - the axle moved along with the tire.

There were some gaps at under the shoulders of the ball joints, are these worth putting a wrench on?

 

[j.o.y.ride]

I would review this on other Gladiators or Wranglers. The gap is larger on the top than bottom, see if that's universal or just yours. Could also just be camera angle.

 

[RyanRick]

I would review this on other Gladiators or Wranglers. The gap is larger on the top than bottom, see if that's universal or just yours. Could also just be camera angle.

I don't trust that measurement too much, the piece on the right in that image is plastic and is floating relative to the axle (not sure if that's as intended). Here's another picture with that part pulled to the center of the vehicle.

 

[Rusty PW]

There has been a quite a few people on here that had to retorque the nuts on the ball joints because of them being loose.

 

[whysoserious]

I don't trust that measurement too much, the piece on the right in that image is plastic and is floating relative to the axle (not sure if that's as intended). Here's another picture with that part pulled to the center of the vehicle.

Any update?

 

[RyanRick]

The lower ball joints were not fully torqued. I also rotated the tires - I'll try to repeat the picture tomorrow.

 

[Abc123]

Any updates?

 

[RyanRick]

This ended up just being some serious toe-in causing the outside of the front tires to wear unevenly.

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