That's why you replace parts.. you want NO slop in any of the tie rods, idler or pitman, ditto with ball joints and upper strut mounts.
If you have perceptible slop at a tie rod end.. by the time you "amplify" the slop out to the edge of an 18" wheel and wide tire (I am assuming) you are talking about a few mm's of slop and that is out of tolerance for a good alignment.. SO... if you have ANY slop, an alignment will be less than great...
As far as mine, I lifted it when I added the bigger tires, so yes, I need my camber set... I set it myself, but it's a trail vehicle.. I also set my own toe in , and caster is built in.. so for a trail vehicle, it's about making the camber close, and the toe in at LEAST to spec, or more so it will track straight. For a road vehicle... Yeah, I go to an alignment shop.
