About the alignment thing - you might check the rear lateral links. I just had my car in the shop for a tuneup (had to have the axle, cv joint, ball joint replaced, transmission serviced and other goodies) but while they were under there they noticed my right rear lateral links were slightly bent, I guess from hitting something. They said they were the cause of my car not holding an alignment. Might be something to look at.
(heh, actually just replaced the left one too because my brother tried to jack the car up using it - big no no) :P
~vR
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