OT: Shady PA vehicle inspection places?, Did I just get bent over? Options

[Dr Evil]

So my vehicle inspection is due for my 4Runner (which I HATE as it bleeds me when it can) and I decide to take it down to the Meiniki (SP) shop that is right down the street and that I have taken the new VUE to before with no problem. I get a call a few hours later telling me that the 4Runner needs ~$750 worth of work; Both front lower ball joints, alignment after ball joint install, new exhaust pie and muffler because both have holes in them (I believe this part), and a front sway drop link because one of them is "broken or missing" according to the shop foreman. No freakin way I can afford $750 right now, and I know how to change a ball joint and drop link so I pay them $340 for the inspection, oil change, and all the exhaust work.
Here is where it gets weird. I get home, look under the front end and to my surprise I find BOTH drop links are there and neither is broken. I knew the Rt one was good as I just replaced it last year, but how the hell can they say that the drop link is broken? Its kind of like a pregnant lady, she either is or is not pregnant. Ball joints are a bit harder to diagnose, but I wasnt about to pay them $75ea when I can get both for that price or less. I need to give them a call and find out what the deal is with the front.

What do you all think?

[Demick]

Ball joints, tie rod ends, drop link bushings, etc can all be easily verified by you. Just jack up the front end of the car and start trying to shake, pull, and push on the joints. Grab the left and right edges of a front wheel and wiggle back and forth. Do the same by grabbing the top and bottom of the wheel to try and twist the wheel in that direction (think camber direction). You are trying to feel if any joints are in any way loose. If you feel any sort of looseness or clunking - track down the joint where it's coming from.

Any of those ball joint couplings will have some play if they are bad.

Demick