I purchased a 1990 244 with 125K at a parts car price. It has some corrosion and a passenger's rear quarter panel that is damaged (all on the face and below the gas door line; looks like the lead edge of the bottom of the panel caught a culvert or something). Runs and shifts good, interior is good, airbag, cruise, PW.

My question concerns the front end. The control arm took a pretty good hit (probably right before the rear panel) and was damaged enough that it had to be replaced. The previous owner was able to replace it with just bolting it in- no components had to be pulled. At that point he lost interest and didn't do any more. The steering wheel doesn't line up and the car pulls to the left a good deal.

Is the only way to evaluate the front end to take it to an alignment rack and see if they can align it?? I was shocked to hear that they wanted $70 for an alignment. Twice as much as the last time I had it done (years ago...)

I remember one of the settings on the 240 is not adjustable. If that setting was out would it mean a frame pull to get it back? That would certainly cost more than I want to put into the car.

Is my best plan to gamble the $70 and hope it can be aligned? Anyone have the post concerning DIY tow-in adjustment? Thanks.

Randy