If you go the ball joint route, you don't unbolt the tie rod, just swing the knuckle over and puch the cv shaft out. Then just install new one and no need for an alingment.
Also you can take the 2 strut bolts out too and pull the knuckle down to slide the axle out. If your struts have never had camber bolts or been rounded for camber adjustments. I did it that way on my sisters car, didnt even mess with the camber, and even if it did, its such a small amount ( .1 - .2 ) that I wouldnt even worry about it.
