Y do i need Control Arm for a Alignment?

Ok, I got new tires for my car and needed an alignment. But the mechanic didnt do the alignment because he said i needed a left upper ball joint and a lower control arm and ball joint. Do you think i really need a lower control arm? And how the hell would i have messed it up? Do you guess think the mechanic is full of shit?

First you should take your car to the dealership and check if the recalls were done. I know that quite a few of these cars were recalled because of the ball joints. The other problems may have stemed from that.

Its impossible to align the car with bad balljoints, thats why they looked. The lower balljoint is most likely the recall. The entire lower laterall link has to be replaced (the straight lower arm, the curved one is called a compression arm or link). It should be a free replacement as long is there is a given amount of play. If it failed the simple pre-alignment inspection, odds are its well beyond the service limit ;) The upper one was never recalled, so you'll have to pay for that. But it should be cheap since the upper control arm can be reused, and replacing it beats getting killed or taking out someone else. Safety first! :)

Hey guys thanks for you replys. Ill check for recalls.

Hey i found 2 safety recalls, which where "lower ball Joint/Control Arm Inspection and Front Passenger Seat Back". I also found Service Bulletins. What are Service Bulletins?

I used this web site to find the recalls. http://www.alldata.com/recalls/ (http://www.alldata.com/recalls/)

TSBs are things that they arent recalling, but are letting you know there is an issue with it.