"Too bad we don't all have Dave to do our work" -- Thanks Art! -- but I've enough to do with my own Volvos and Saab. But going back to the problem at hand--let's see what we've got here--loose tie rod, loose lug nuts and shot ball joints---I'd say this shop owes Rhode Island Volvo two things -- a big apology and any money spent there. How could any shop that specializes in tires, alignment and brakes have possibly done an alignment when the ball joints are bad and the the tie rod not installed properly (I do understand RIV did the rack installation himself)-- but just the same the technician should have caught those items first off--and should be totally embarassed at the lug nut situation. The correct and only course that makes sense would have been for the manager to say--"sir, your ball joints are bad--an alignment at this point will be a total waste of time and money. Would you like us to replace them?--and if not your bill for a half hour check out is X amount."
Who is going to do the ball joints? Will these fools know enough to set them in place correctly or will you wind up with them installed backwards with the resulting negative caster. Just wait till you take it down the road with that condition!
In NY shops are licensed by the DMV--RI probably has some sort of similiar licensing--I'd bring the matter to that agency at the slightest hint of non- cooperation from the shop. -- Dave