Well, I decided that I should take it off and check to make sure I didn't do anything stupid. I didn't, but I also measured the two ball joints. The one taken off was much shorter (from bolt hole to center of joint) than the new one! That explains that.
I checked the other left side one I had against the old one and it was much closer, but still slightly longer. I put it on and now the steering wheel is only a few degrees off of center. I guess I'll just do the passenger side too and go for an alignment.
This was supposed to be free maintenance with parts on hand, not a trip to an alignment shop!
I wonder what is going on here though. I've done this on all of my previous 245s ('90, '92, '93 - and the current one is a '93 Classic) and have never had an issue like this. Strange.
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