Two new tires with tie-rods and wheel alignment

Wow...no wonder auto repair shops are having a field day!
You would think in this recessionary time they would lower the labor rate or atleast pass on the savings to the customer, oh no!..

Two new tires: Ironman brand(never heard of them) - $58 each
Two new tie-rods - $48 each
Parts - $212
Wheel Alignment - $60
Labor for 2 hrs - $188(what a ripoff)
Total cost - $460 + tax

Nissan Altima Cruise Control Issue - broken rubber stop

Cruise control on my Altima would not engage and I just so noticed that near the accelerator pedal there were broken plastic pieces.

If your Cruise Control does not work then, check the brake pedal, there are 2 switches that are located above it. One is for the brake lights and one is for the Cruise Control. Its a small rubber piece. Check to make sure that when the brake pedal is released, it makes contact with both switched. (If you notice small rubber pieces on the drivers side carpet then that's the piece that needs to be replaced).

The following is the part number for the little rubber stopper.

Part Number: 46512-H0101 ( Rubber Stopper)