I brought my van to a place to have an alignment done. They came back and told me they did the alignment but the lower ball joints are bad. If I have them fixed in 30 days, I can have it realigned for free. My mechanic said to get my money back because it's impossible to do an alignment if the ball joints are bad, so he said they must not have done an alignment but charged for it anyway. (my mechanic does not do alignments)
2006-09-25 04:24:17 · 9 answers · asked by R R 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
It is possible to do the alignment, however it would be pointless to do it if the balljoints and bad and need to be replaced because you it would be recommended to do another alignment as soon as you replaced the balljoints anyway.
Ask the mechanic who did the alignment to describe "bad". If they are loose than the alignment could not be done. If it is simply the boot is or dust cover is torn than he could have done the alignment.
Does your mechanic agree that the balljoints are bad? If he agrees then let him replace the balljoints and then go back for the free alignment. Ask them for a printout with all the specs from the alignment and show that to your mechanic.
2006-09-25 04:32:34 · answer #1 · answered by brwnidjkmo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The alignment that the first place did is worthless if your ball joints are bad. While you may have prefered them to just tell you that and not waste the time with the alignment, you are still covered if you bring your vehicle back to them within the timeframe they set (30 days). Sounds like you are in the process of getting your ball joints repaired, so this should not be a problem.
2006-09-25 04:37:39 · answer #2 · answered by Jeffrey S 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If they did an alignment then it won't last. If you have too much slack in your ball joints, it will be out of alignment again as soon as you move the car. The adjusting nuts can't compensate for the extra slack so if they are really badly worn, it may be impossible to align it at all. Sometimes ball joints can separate entirely and cause the entire front wheel assembly to fall off. This is unsafe and can cause furthur damage so get it fixed ASAP.
2006-09-25 04:31:56 · answer #3 · answered by carguy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes you can 'align' with defective ball joints. BUT IT IS UNethical as
any alignment with defective ball joints is a waste.
Before any work they should have advised you of defective ball joints and allowed you the option at that time. I would definitely report them, see a lawyer as well BUT that cost would be more than your relief, and would NEVER have any work(or frens and neighbors!) done at that shop.
Consider that money as lost unless you contact the owner or manager with your concerns. I hope you can get your money back, or after other estimates can convince the owner to actually fix and align your van... but if they give you deal- get it in writing as they've already 'pulled' one on you...
2006-09-25 04:33:02 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depending on what kind of van you have bad ball joints can be a disaster. Get them replaced now.
2006-09-25 05:45:09 · answer #5 · answered by Slipped Away 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like they did the best they could. I would get them ball joints fix fast before your wheels come off.Then take them up on the realignment.
2006-09-25 04:29:24 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You nee new ball joints. But if the place you took it did any work (like examine the ball joints and tell you they are bad) then they can charge you for it.
2006-09-25 04:28:06 · answer #7 · answered by cooperman 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there is genuinely no experience in aligning something via fact the minute you tension out of the keep the alignment would be lost. you will loose the caster and camber adjustment on the spindle with the loose ball joint.
2016-12-18 16:38:28 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
they most likely did the best they could do under the circumstances
2006-09-25 04:33:25 · answer #9 · answered by Mopar Muscle Gal 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋