TR2/3/3A Steering box assembly questions...

I have reached the point where I am about to tighten mount casting bolts and then the drop arm. The drop arm is lined up with a mark on the rocker shaft and the one on the mount casting. Nothing has been tightened down yet. If you are standing above the box looking down it seems that the drop arm is positioned slightly over the main steering tube wheras in photos I have seen the drop arm would appear to be on somewhat of an angle from the shaft...a few degrees over? Dosn't look right.Anyone have an idea of what is going on here? I did use components from two different steering boxes so the markings may be wrong? If so how do I get back to proper alignment?
Also ...if you were turning the shaft from lock to lock would you get the exact amount of turns from one side to the other? What if you turned the shaft all the way right and it was 2 turns but when you turned all the way left you got 2 turns plus 3/4"?
Karl

I thought the arm was keyed. Been a LONG time since I was into whatever this is specifically (posted in TR2/3/3A).
Think about it. If you were off one spline, don't you think a 3/4" difference would be....unlikely?
Depending on ratio and number of splines, 4" maybe.
Is that lock-to-lock of the box alone, or all tie rod ends and spindles connected with associated stops?
And exactly what is meant by "I did use components from two different steering boxes"?

Workshop manual says: Not parallel to the stator tube but with 3° offset towards the stator tube. A line through the drop arm will hit the stator tube somewhere.

Regards, Johannes

The box is in a vice on the bench.

Should be the same number of turns left and right of center. If your factory lines align, then you are good...everything else will align in the end, including the turns stop to stop. Like TOC mentions, one notch off at the drop arm would make the box WAY off. Realize that the alignment marks do not align with center. They merely align the drop arm with the pinion shaft, and they will usually be off once all is centered.

When you go to install the tie rods, start with them the same length. I am pretty sure the manual even specifies a starting length for them. Then adjust from there to get the toe correct. Finally adjust both sides equally to center the steering wheel when rolling forward. If it takes a LOT of adjustment to center the wheel, then something is bent. It should only be a turn or 2 max on the tie rod adjusting sleeves. More than that is a flag that something is wrong.

Thanks for the help.