Bad alignment...now failed inspection!?

[mlatten]

I just put my 5 speed back on the road, and since it's never had an alignment, I decided to treat it. I brought it to a Mavis on Wednesday, and they said they "got it as close as it can get." I figured it was good enough.

Now today I go to get it inspected and this bald guy tells me that BOTH ball joints have tons of play. I replaced the LCA's about 8,000 miles (2 years)ago - motorcraft parts.

My beef is such: shouldn't Mavis have performed a safety inspection before aligning? I mean, if the ball joints were bad, should they have not bothered aligning, or at least told me?

Any and all input is appreciated, because I'm fuming right now.

Thanks,
Matt

 

[Ishodu]

If the ball joints were actually shot, they never should have even tried to align it. Its std procedure to check suspension components like that before they start the alignment. Can you jack up the wheel and check it for play?

 

[mlatten]

Yep. The ball joints that were replaced - excessive play. These ball joints, no way. I do have a clunk when the car is running and I shimmy the steering wheel back and forth, but I assumed inner tie rods (since I've replaced the outers).

Thanks for confirming that SOP is to check suspension components before aligning a vehicle. I think I have an argument to follow up with Mavis then, as they would have saved me the cost of the inspection AND the next alignment!

However, lets say the control arms are bad, does motorcraft warranty their parts for the length they've been in my car? (2 years, 8k) I got them at the dealership.

Thanks again,
Matt

 

[St Louis SHO]

12 months 12000 miles. so no

 

[mlatten]

*Sigh*