Rebuilt front end concerns

If you are using polygraphite upper control arm bushing you should not have bind I would definitely look into that. As for driving prior to alignment, you should not have to, you should be able to get the car aligned with no ill affects. Shock wise I would go with what the other poster said and save up for a set of bilsteins. They will great improve the ride quality and handling overall.

Thanks
James From
PST