GA Boater,
I did read them and followed what I assumed was the correct procedure. But my take on the section with regards to the position of the wheel, is just to center the steering wheel. Such that when the boat is steering straight, the wheel is centered.
I did an experiment; I confirmed the shaft travel with existing drag link rotating to max in both directions. Disconnecting the drag link, nothing changes, travel is the same. Then marking a spot on the drag link at approx 1.5 inches shorter. Still disconnected from motor, I rotate the motor to line up to the mark in both full rotated positions. The motor is now aprox at the same angle in both directions.
Drag links do have adjustment with a jamb nut, but mine is at the minimum length now. The motor is a '75 Johnson, 70 Hp. I had moved the motor and steering from an old boat to my pontoon. It was an old style rack and pinion type, so maybe travel was different