Camber problems/Ball Joints or tubes?

[LifeProof1]

So i just recently purchased this 1999 XJ and i had noticed my passenger front tire was angled in a little.

I had searched the threads concerning camber and reassured that it was either a bent tube or bad ball joints.

I hear a popping noise going through slow turns like i heard with my TJ when those ball joints were bad.

but

It kind of looks like the passenger tube may be bent but i dont' know if my eyes are playing tricks on me (if you look for something hard enough, your going to see it)

So i went outside earlier and tried to find some movement by tilting the top and bottom of the tire in and out. It barely moves but when it does its pulling the whole axle shaft with it. Would that be an indicator of either problem?

Also when i raise the tire off the ground, the tire is damn near straight up and down but when i lower it and it gets weight on it then the top leans in.

Would this be an indicator of bad ball joints since if the tubes were bent then they would stay bent even without the weight of the vehicle?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Here's some pics

 

[shawn]

If it moves at all when you put your hands on the top and bottom of the tire, something is worn out. Probably ball joints or unit bearing. Use a pry bar at the knuckle or get a helper and take turns shaking the tire.

 

[Jeff B]

I see the problem in the pic. Those damn lights are so heavy they bent the front axle!


Also what Shawn said...

 

[1997tj]

x2 on the pry bar. Since those ball joints face down when you jack that tire up the weight of the tire is going to pull down on the ball joints. That might make it hard to tell with your hands. Put a prybar under the tire and see if you can pick up on it.