I'm not sure this was mentioned explicitly up-thread but the steering gear has a tight spot when it is within a few degrees of center (straight ahead). Adjustments to the sector gear must be made with this in mind. If you set the sector adjustment too tight the gear will bind as it goes over the center tight spot. There should be some resistance at this center point, which the why a fish scale is needed to set the gear properly. THEN you must make sure that the tight spot is where the wheels are straight ahead. Adjusting the gear at any other point in it's travel guarantees a poor result, as does getting the drag link adjustment too long or too short.
The drag link adjustment is what centers the steering gear at the tight spot when the wheels are straight ahead. You can have the gear adjusted properly but if it's not centered when the wheels are straight ahead there will be objectionable play in the steering wheel. If all is adjusted properly and the alignment is correct you can steer with your thumb at the bottom of the wheel on a straight non-crowned road. No fighting or back-and-forth wheel movement required. On a crowned road you might have to use your thumb and forefinger to steer.
