went for the alignment today...they can't do it...why? BECAUSE IT WON'T HELP!

Here's what's "wrong" (aka what I need):

2 front axles
2 front control arms

The pretty price for this plus labor?
$766 for axles!
$919.5 for the control arms!

Holy crap!
Are there any cheaper prices than this??

He is quoting chapter and verse from the ever popular "How To Gouge Your Customer" book. Ask him if he has been drug tested lately.

I can see needing control arms, but needing axles to do an alignment?

Control arms are not that hard to do, but $919 to do 'em is not just outrageous, it's downright criminal.

Get a second opinion.

Axels (aka driveshafts) have nothing to do with alignment. (But they ARE easier to replace if you are doing the control arms anyway)

but here's the WHOLE story and maybe you guys can enlighten me on this...

Thursday: Lotta snow, quattro=rally
I let my friend drive the car around this "course" he obviously couldn't handle the POWER (hell he drives a TAURUS) drifts thru a turn and hits the curb with the rear pass wheel...not a big hit but pretty hard...car doesn't drive right after that... steering wheel is (\) to drive straight instead of (-)...I figure maybe an alignment would help because I might have knocked something...

Took out both back tires, looked around nothing seemed broken or bent so I thought alignment because the rear DRIVER's wheel seemed a little "off", took it there (alignment place) and was there for a good 1hr+ then they come back and say that it wouldn't help because the FRONT axles and control arm BUSHINGS we're worn out...that if I didn't change the axles I might ruin my tranny etc etc

So what do you guys think? Should I start looking around for the axles and controls arms (guy said something about how he thought the bushings could be replaced but they can't on this car or something)

Can I get these from a junkyard? $$ around?

PS I was also "trying" to do some donuts with the car but not over-exaggerated (tried it, couldn't do it, stopped trying)

Which car is this on?

I think he's hoping to make a sucker out of you.

Granted, he may have found your axles to be worn while attempting to do an alignment,
but axles have nothing to do with a front alignment.

Worn tie rod ends, upper strut mounts, lca bushings, ball joints, swaybar front mounts, or subframe bushings are the items
I'd check in that order.

FYI, new lower control arms, complete with new bushings and balljoint are ~$89 per side.
It's DIY job.

To check your axles, if they don't click while in a turn, and have no play when you try to twist them by hand, then they are likely to be good.
Audi CV joints seem to be quite robust.

If you do need axles, try www.raxles.com. They offer rebuilt axles with new outer joints. Use discount code: "1600" to get 10% off your purchase.
Shouldn't be more than $150ea.

As for the right rear damage, the trapezoidal arm is beefy, I don't think that may have bent. You may have bent your shock or damaged the rear upper tie rod assembly.
Also inspect the rear of the trapezoidal arm....there are two bolts that adjust toe. You may have 'tweeked' them with the curb.

I just did my entire quatro front end for a hell of a lot less than just the price of parts quoted on control arms. I did it myself and got all the parts at jaqworks.com. Parts are available from performance auto parts for competitive price. When everything was done I had an 4 wheel alignment done for $55.00.

I never heard of axels having to be replaced for an alignment. Was the guy armed and wearing a mask?

yea, some dodge ram lovin' redneck at the
alignment shop is feedin' you a big fresh
load of horse ****!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Can't see where axles effect alignment. Even if they do, price quoted is outrageous. I think I paid about $90.00 last time for a rebuilt axle. I remember the whole axle was cheaper than the repair kit. The control arms should be about $90.00 each. I have done them in the drive way, just be careful of what you pry against when you pop them.

I get my axles at Columbus Import Auto. $75 a pop, no matter what axle. Except for perhaps the front axles for a Mercedes 4-Matic.

Chris