New struts but no alignment. How sketchy?

So I installed new struts upfront, went from an ome setup to eibachs/bilsteins. Minimal change in the lift, maybe a half an inch if any. But the new struts are more stiff than the olds. The front end doesn’t dip nearly as much on bumps or turns (no sway bar).

Today the shop would not do an alignment because there was too much play in one of the lower control arms. And play in one of the tie rods. My plan is to order the parts and have it fixed up next weekend. Only problem is that I have to drive for work and put maybe 400 miles until I can get in a shop.

Steering feels a little funky/less smooth than before. But I’m hoping it’s just the stiffness of the new struts and the old steering components.

Are there any other parts I should replace besides tie rods and lca bushings that could take a beating from driving until I get an alignment?