Hi guys thanks in advance. I have a 96 a4 2.8se and i just changed the control arms and got an allignment . the issue is i feel like i have to turn the a lot more than usual also there is a lot of play, and finally if im at a stop and turn the wheel to the left the left side of the car rises vice versa if i turn to the right. the car just feels unstable and i dont think the guy at firestone knew what he was doin as it took him 2.5 hours to do it. Any one have a clue what the prob is??? Thanks again for your time.

 

The links being installed in-correctly CAN cause the steering to feel loose, for example if he set the links too far away from the shock tower he didn't put enough tension on the bushing and the steering would feel loose. But not that much, more than likely your tie rod ends are bad.
If your mechanically inclined at all check to see if the bolts on the strut tower is tight (under the hood) and make sure all the links are ok. When you look at the tie rod ends check to see if the boot is cracked or falling off.

 

the thing is i installed new tie rod ends when i did the control arms

 

Did they adjust camber? If they did they might have left the subframe loose.

 

hell ya, tech certified man is layin down the law lol.

 

Take it to the dealer for an alignment (one of the very things I will actually go there for).

I took mine to a Goodyear shop figuring anyone can do the alignment. They brought it in the bay, then told me that there was some kind of electronic system for the steering that they couldn't override. They sent me to the dealer saying they couldn't align my car.

This is a pretty decent shop that I have taken other cars to before and they are really honest. They don't like messing with my Audi though. Firestone is about the same level of mechanic shop. Maybe they couldn't do it right either but instead of sending you away they attempted to half *** align it. The dealer will fix it for $120 (twice the price of a normal alignment)

 

$120? Must be nice out here in cali we charge 2.5 hours at $120 an hour for an alignment.

 

well i just got back from the shop i took it back to see if they could find anything and the guy said that my wheels are bowed inward and they only adjust tow so he told me to take it to the stealership because he thinks my knuckles are bent but it was fine b4 i changed my control arms so i dont know what to think maybe some thing can be changed with the electronic steering dealer allignment?? who knows

 

Bowed inward? You mean negative camber? Or the wheels look pigeon toed?
Get away from that shop, they seem pretty stupid from what your telling me.

 

yeah i think so too im gonna take my $60 loss and take it to the dealer tom they want 130 flat rate for an allignment here in columbus ohio