4WS Alignments (What is that special tool really used for?)

I've have several questions about 4WS alignments from customers buying the Prelude Engineering 4WS bushing and bolt kits:

As you may know there is a special rare 4WS alignment tool that is listed in the service manual, this tool locks the rear 4WS gearbox into the centered position:

There are a few reasons to use the tool:

1. You need to remove the gearbox from the car and don't want it to be able to turn while it is off the car.
2. You are doing a 4WS alignment.

For number 2 there seems to be a big misconception about how/when this tool is used. The misconception is that the tool should be installed during the whole alignment, it shouldn't be. If you examine the alignment instructions from the service manual you will see that the tool is primarily used to check the steering wheel centering:

This is good news because it means you don't really need the proper tool or have to supply it to whoever is doing your alignment. You can use a drill bit, screw driver, or anything that fits snugly into the 4WS lock tool hole and check the steering wheel centering yourself just before taking the car in for an alignment.

Adjust the steering wheel position yourself as necessary then take the car for a regular 4-wheel alignment. That's it.

Don't forget that in addition to toe, camber is adjustable on both ends and front caster is also adjustable. Insist that the alignment place adjust those, many places these days might only try to do the toe since most cars don't have the extra adjustment.