Car running horrible after alignment was done

2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU
180,000 MILES
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VANESSA87
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Took my car to get a alignment. They said they couldn't do it because I need my left lower control arm fixed. And my ball joints. But when I went to go get my car, they said they went ahead and did my alignment. Now my car runs horrible. it feels like the emergency brake is on when I first start driving, but then it starts to ride a little better. Also, probably different situation my fuel gauge stops working sometimes, so does my hot water gauge, and my gear shift will read the wrong gear sometimes. My question is, were they right to go ahead and do the alignment? will I need one after I get those problems fixed? why is my car running so bad now?
Mar 27, 2019 at 12:56 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • ✓ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 110,194 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
Welcome to 2CarPros.

If the ball joints were bad and the lower control arm, it was a waste of money. If there is excessive play in those components, the alignment couldn't have been done properly.

Now, I have no idea how that would have caused a driveability issue. Do me a favor. After driving, get out of the vehicle and see if there is excessive heat coming from any of the wheels.

Let me know,

Joe
Mar 27, 2019 at 8:35 PM
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