Thanks for the explanation. But before I get an alignment, I need to get my ride height problem fixed. That's the topic of another post I started today. Don't worry, I only put about 20 miles on the truck since I replaced the steering parts.
The truck seems to track straight, but the steering wheel is off center. If the alignment shop locks the steering wheel in the center position (assuming it lines up with the steering gear center point) and they align the tires via the tie rod ends, won't the truck want to pull if it has "memory" from the ball and socket joints being torqued in an off center wheel position?
If I understand you correctly, I should remove the parts I changed, center the wheel / steering gear, install and torque the idler arm, install and torque the inner tie-rods, install and torque the outer tie-rods, then get an alignment?