Draglink issue

Hi all, today's issue is the steering drag link on my 110 200tdi. I replaced the drop arm last night as it had worked loose. So I centered the steering box with the drop arm pointing dead ahead. But my drag link would not fit, back on until I turned the drop arm to the 1 o clock position pointing out to the offside wheel. Is this normal?

I still have full lock both ways, but on the nearside when you turn full lock there is a noticeable thud from the ball joint and the swivel housing seems to jolt at the same time.

I have measured the drag link and from centre to centre it is 924mm give or take a mm.

I suspect all my ball joints are done in so New are on order for replacement, do I shorten the drag link bar and straighten the steering box?

Cheers all!