thanks. Took it in for alignment...yes, steering wheel was straightened BUT:

the mechanic led me back to the car and said 'man are you lucky...when we were adjusting one side, the inner tie rod on the other side just fell off!!!" (drove over fine). Charged me $80 to basically screw it back on and I just didn't feel like arguing after everything else I've gone through with this inspection.

Now, I KNOW I tightend both of the inners snug and made sure the metal washer was snug,too. Is there something procedurally I might have done wrong to know for the next time like needing to hold one side with a wrench while the other inner is screwed in...or do you think this shop is just soaking me because I didn't get any of the work they failed me for done there?

thanks, ggaarry