Stop in for a cup of coffee

Those bushings and the strut rod help locate the LCA's for-aft position, and to some degree keep it perpendicular to the LCA bushing and shaft.

Yes.. The original on the left side was bent and the hole where the the strut passes through the K was oblong as well as a slight wobble in the LCA Spindle. Replaced K, LCA and Struts all around.

Funny thing was that the alignment and steering was till spot-on. No drift at all.