Has your truck's axle ever broken?

The truck was evidently poorly maintained and they should not only be sued but peosecuted. Good luck with this and my condolences to the family. GOOD LUCK!!!

 

The tie rod that seperated was an inner from rack and pinion. There is no way to tell they are worn with just a visual inspection.

There may have been some unusual wear on that tire as a indicator. Another indication is the truck wandering back and forth in its lane, especially a lane that is rutted somewhat.

A worn inner joint will usually make a metallic knocking noise when hitting a bump or pothole. This can sometimes be felt in the stering wheel.

These joints are not greasable, nor serviceable. To check for worn inner tie rod ends, jack up one side, grab the tire front and back, and rock the tire from one side to the other checking for looseness. It is better to have someone watching for movement of the tie rod when shaking the wheel.

 

Judging from the tie rod picture, there was factory grease on it. It may have just came loose, or been broken in the wreck. This is how it will be played out in court. Your eyewitness is your best chance in this event. Looking at the pictures, it would be a tough call to make as to what happened.

The fact that tire is the only one flat would lend to the theory that the tie rod seperated, and the tire went under the wheel well and blew out before the wreck. Check the tire out good as to how it went flat, and look at the wheel well for signs of a turning tire leaving marks under there.

 

I am pretty sure unless absolutely no course has taken place Budget would not be able to claim the vehicle from the impound pending an auto investigation that lead to a death. if this has been stalled for some time and your time has run out,that would be the only way they could take it from the impound. when a vehicle is impounded and a death occurred it cannot be released for a certain amount of time depending on the state laws im sure. if there is no simple juncture that represents any investigation into the death caused related to the truck within that time limit. then can only then can that vehicle be released to the original owners custody. either way maintenance or manufacturers defect it seems there is a problem that needs rectified and pursued. good luck

 

e d i t e d

 

Sorry about your friend's misfortune.

Here's another thing to consider and you may want to ask your/their lawyer about it:

If you are going to go after GM, the "new gm" isn't liable for anything "old gm" made. This truck being a 2006 model is "old gm." It's really the same company but a sneaky way to avoid liability.

2) in my opinion this is somewhat unusual---ball joints do break, but it's rare especially on a relatively new vehicle.
a) If a previous customer did "curb" it, then they would have to have done it with so much force to damage the joint that something else noticable would have happenned---i.e., the alignment would have gotten way out of whack or other suspension parts would have been damaged----also my opinion.