'88 90q alignment issues

[Christopher Tipper <christophert@datair.com>]

Happy Holidays, fellow Listers!

A little over a week ago, I had my new suspension put on -- Bilstein Sports,
used 20v springs, new bushings all around, "blue" strut bearings and new tie
rod ends.  The person who does the alignments for the person that did my
work suggested that I let the car settle in for a couple of hundred miles
before doing the alignment.

After hearing other Listers' alignment stories and tales of woe, I decided
to use the local dealer -- Laurel.  They are only 3 blocks from the office
and provide a ride back and forth.  I figure the extra bucks spent is worth
knowing the job was done right.  Hahh!  I make an appointment last week and
drop the car off at the appointed hour yesterday at 8:00 a.m.  I give them
the specific settings I want, they tell me it will be done around 2 or 3 and
I'm on my.  At 4:30 I haven't heard anything.  I call.  The service advisor
is telling me that they have just put the car on the alignment rack and they
can't do the alignment because the "tie rod ends are frozen."

What?  Isn't this the central theme in most Quattro alignment tales of woe?
Isn't this why we go to a dealer?

My question is, therefore, what do I ask a prospective alignment shop prior
to handing my car over?  I have been told to make sure that they are using a
Hunter machine.  I'm going to ask if they have had any experience with
Quattros.  If I can't find one that has done a Quattro recently but
otherwise seems competent, can someone please share with me again what I'm
supposed to tell them should they also say that the tie rod end is frozen?
Is it just a heat thing?

By the way, I subscribe to the digest, so any responses to me directly as
well as the List will be greatly appreciated.

Christopher Tipper
'88 90q, new suspension but not all wheels pointing in the correct direction