Replaced front suspension components, car felt good (tight) afterwards, then got an alignment now steering feels loose....

Posting this here since reddit mechanics seem to be not helpful always, and I wanted some insight as to what camber or whatever adjustments you can make while still being "in alignment" on a car/suspension.

So, I replaced a bunch of components on my front suspension. Upper control arms, lower control arms, stabilizer links, and strut complete assembly for both sides.

Drove for about 2 days and checked on the highway to see if it drifted a bit and it did slightly, but not much. Took it for an alignment just to be sure and…

The car felt very good and tight after I replaced everything before the alignment. Not much play in the steering, very stiff, harder to turn the steering wheel. After the alignment, it feels a lot looser and a bit more play in the steering wheel.

1) Can anybody explain as to why it feels like this and if it’s normal?
2) Is there anything I can do to make my steering feel more tight like it was while the car still being aligned properly? (As far as adjustments to the alignment)
3) They shared the specifications with me after the alignment, but I don’t see any numbers in the before alignment, shouldn’t there be numbers in the middle like there is in the current measurements in the 2nd diagram below?

I’m really bummed out, I was really enjoying the new tight feeling after changing all of the parts.

I read some stuff already on the internet saying that it's just placebo, or I got used to the car not being aligned and it just feeling tight because of resistance (but it barely drifted to the side on the highway when I tested it).


after alignment specs

 

There should be numbers on the “before” page….Im not sure why yours doesnt have any.

But the numbers after the alignment look OK. You probably did just get used to driving with mis-aligned wheels and the car kept fighting itself, thats why it felt tighter before.

 

Is there anything you can do outside of stock specs to make it feel more stiff? I mean just adjusting slightly, or not really without upgrading suspension or something to other than stock?

 

Sway bar or strut bar.