Just for context:

1. I did not bring my vehicle in for any existing issues to begin with. I had not been having any issues at all with my vehicle. I just brought it in for a tire swap to my winter tires and some general maintenance (oil change, wheel alignment). The brakes maybe didn’t feel exactly as they should so I was expecting to maybe replace brake pads.

2. It’s a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee (5.7 litre V8) with just under 100k kilometres

3. The first mechanic is the dealership I bought it from a year and a half ago when it had 85k kilometres on it. This is a smaller town dealership with a good reputation (much better than most dealerships in the city).

When I go to pick up my vehicle, this mechanic says I need new rear brake pads and rotors plus front brake service but the rear brakes might last till spring if I don’t drive too much. They also said that they couldn’t do the wheel alignment because my front lower ball joints are worn. They recommend replacing those very soon. They also say that both my front axle shafts need to be replaced but it could probably wait till spring as long as I don’t go on any long road trips. Hands me a quote for the parts/labour totalling $3k tax included.

I decided I wanted a second opinion just to verify this is the truth and maybe get a better deal so I make an appointment at another mechanic’s shop (in a moderately sized city, they are highly rated on google) and tell them I want a “wheel alignment, brake inspection, and please advise on condition of front axle shafts”.

I thought that by asking for the wheel alignment, they would be led to the same conclusion as the other mechanic (front lower ball joints to worn to do wheel alignment), the brake inspection would turn up the need to replace the pads and rotors, and specifically asking them to inspect the front axle shafts is self-explanatory.

They said they did the wheel alignment, there’s no issues with the axle shafts (and asked me if I had requested that because of what someone else said) and that I should replace rear brake pads and rotors. I tell them that yes, another mechanic told me that they couldn’t do the alignment because the front lower ball joints are worn and the front axles should be replaced by spring. They look confused, go back to take a second look at and come back just to tell me that they don’t know why someone would tell me that as there’s nothing wrong with the ball joints or the axles.

I really didn’t expect the second shop to completely negate what the first one said (aside from rear brakes). Now I have no idea what to do. Both these places were reputable - I wasn’t shopping around looking for the answer I wanted, I just wanted to make sure I had the truth. It would seem either the first shop is lying or the second shop is incompetent…but both had good reputations?? What should I do? Get a third opinion??? And what do I do if the third opinion is different than the first two? I’m lost at this point.