So I finally got round to taking the car in to get the front wheels aligned (tracking) today... Took it to a couple of places who refused to do it because it needs 'special weighting' or some rubbish - I said I couldn't care less just get it as close as poss as I've changed out all the front end parts (arms/shocks etc)... They said it wasn't happening.

So I take it to a big place nearby that specialises in tires/alignment/balancing etc and they throw it straight on the ramps (well I did)... and put the laser guides on. It's out a fair whack.

The guy lifts it up and stands underneath for a while looking around. I'm watching him as he fumbles around looking bewildered... I tell him it should be pretty simple with the new track rod ends and such... He hasn't got a clue what I'm talking about. A couple of minutes later he goes to get someone else to help him... After a while they start trying to undo the self locking nuts with one spanner. By this point I'm getting worried and pissed off so I try to explain to the less than average intelligence fellow how to do it. He still hasn't got an igloo so has to get the manager to come and show him how it's done. I stood back and watched as it took three guys to sort out the alignment when a chimp could do it and I thought to myself - what a world it is we live in.

The simple job ended up taking about 20-25 minutes out of my day while she's guzzling away up there and I ended up paying £23.50 for the privilege!