I just replaced the front control arm bushings, inner tie rods, ball joints, and sway bar links. I might also need to replace the upper strut mounts and would like to know of any tips on how to replace them and if I need a spring compressor to perform the job.

 

yes. you probably should go ahead and replace the struts while you're at it, as you have to take all that apart.

unless the rubber is shot on the upper strut mount, I'd not replace it, most of the replacements aren't as good quality as the originals, unless you get real Volvo ones.

 

And get an alignment after all of that because I am sure that it is going to be all off.

 

indeed, toe-in measure-and-adjust is pretty much mandatory after doing the tie rods. you can do this with a tape measure and some patience (adjust, then test drive... if the wheel isn't centered when going straight, adjust it both sides one way or the other and recheck toe-in, repeat until perfect. ditto if on the test drive, the steering feels vague and wants to wander, increase the toe-in a bit, and if its pulling too hard to go straight when you're turning, decrease the toe-in...)


there really aren't any other adjustments, the caster and camber should be spot on if nothing is bent.

 

I was thinking about getting a computer alignment but I am not sure if I should drive it for a little while and let everything seat or take it in right after the repairs.

 

just tape measure it so there's about 1/16th to 1/8th inch less between the front of the tires than between the back, using a specific tread groove as the reference, with both wheels pointing as close to symmetrically forward as you can eyeball when the steering is centered, and you're close enough for jazz. adjust both tie rods to suit, then tighten the lock nuts without letting the rods spin.

I took my daughters 240 in for an alignment after doing hte tape measure thing after changing the inner tie rods, and my mechanic laughed and said it was basically spot on, but the camber had a little variation due to a worn inner swing arm bushing so there was no point in getting any closer without fixing that.