Illustrator has very limited options for keyboard shortcuts of Panel items. You can't assign a keyboard shortcut directly to an alignment or distribution command, but you can record an action for individual alignments and/or distributions, and then assign an F-Key to the action.
As for why that annoying behavior of the distribution spacing, I seem to recall that a few years ago James Talmage had an explanation for why that happens, but I can't remember what it was...
You cpuld also right a script(s) and assign keyboards to those there may even exist such scripts on the Adobe Exchange or might even be a good way to start learning scripts and there is a scripting forum for Illustrator.
"Also, the distribution spacing randomly changes from auto to 0 pixels, creating an annoying extra step to distribute objects. Why does this happen"
It's because of the key object.
Key object means if you select 2 or more objects to align/distribute and then again clicking on any one of the object, it will be considered as key object, so illustrator will consider the last clicking object as reference object and move/distribute other objects.
If you distribute the objects without "key object selection", it will be in "Auto", but if you select any key object, it will be "0" as you said.
Awesome on the tip. Thanks! Unfortunately it's a workaround.
I'm absolutely floored that we can't create keyboard shortcuts for the palette tools. Combinations of CMD-Arrows (for instance) are SO handy for the constant aligning that occurs while drafting / drawing.
Very happy with the smart guides thoughought CS4, though.
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