If the shop is hesitant to take the X, why bother even *insisting on it*. Not sure how much a alignment runs in your neck of the woods, but a alignment runs about $160+......and a decent tech will properly dial it in. Anyone can get it in the *green*.

My shop does preload the car, but bear in mind, that it's just a *alignment*. You can drive it off the rack, take it for a spin, throw her on the rack, and the readings WILL be different.

With that said, how about a hrs drive up to VAC ? Is that a option.