Strut Bolts

Took the 95 in to get it aligned again because this GM dealer said they could align it. I picked it up after paying $132 (not the quoted $79.99) and the desk guy said it drives staight as an arrow. Drove down the road and could hardly keep it on the road, hard pull to the right. Went back to shop and asked if they drove it after they aligned it and the desk guy said "3 times, whats wrong" asked him if he would like to go for a ride. He got the mechanic out and told him what was going on. The mechanic said "yeh, I know, you have alot of play in your rack and pinion and your tire is worn". Said everytimme he aligned it and drove it, the caster (maybe camber) would go out of spec. He is refering to the two bolts that attach the bottom of the strut to the control arm ( or whatever it is it attaches to, they are the slotted ones) I guess they slip or something. He said he got on it with a four foot breaker bar to tighten it. He then shows me the bolt and nut and says "see how the one is flanged and the other is just a plain old nut". I imagine they are flanged to apply more force and help keep things put. Anyway, what the hell is wrong with these places? put a new nut and bolt in it and fix the problem, don't tell me it drives straight, take my money, and send me out the door. Where do I stand as far as getting some of my money back?
I am going to put a new rack on it this weekend. Stopped at the libray and photocopied the directions out of the chiltons, doesn't look to bad. Any helpful tips would be appriciated.

Thanks
Dave A.

That Is More Or Less The Same Crap I've Always Got From Dealer Type Places. Make You Wait 8hrs And Then Shoot You Out Of The Door. Had Terrible Experience With Waiting And Lying From My Local PEPBOYSIn Raynham Ma. Never Go There. I waited 4hrs to have tires put on and an alignment done and then i hade to bring it back because the car was shaking like hell. I put new struts in through them ( 8hrs over two days ) and had to go back. Turned out they never balanced the right tire (another 3hrs). At my base pay of $16 an hour, that would be some money. These places are worse about admiting their mistakes than backyard garages.

You should most certainly get your money back.

You said that the nuts on the strut were just regular nuts. I hope the bolts are not regular bolts. Or you really have a problem. The bolts should have ridges cut in it, and the knuckle it fits into have gooves for a tight fit. If you just need the nuts, they should be reasonable at the dealer. And next to nothing at a used parts yard. As for the dealer that did the work on your car. If he didn't align the front end, then he owe you a refund. Sounds like a case for small claims court. If I need an alignment, I would take my car to someone that specialize in doing it.