Fixing push rod to operate rudder correctly

by PJ
(Rockford)

I'm having problems trying to get the push rod bent like a "z", as the manual asks. I bent it the best I could but it doesn't look like a "z".
I ran it through the hole in the tail rudder horn, the rudder ended up only turning to the left. I tried adjusting the rod in through the horn hole a number of times and the rudder would only turn the opposite way.
How do you get it so the rudder turns evenly? And how far should the rudder turn, barely or pretty deep? And with the push rod, about how many times can you bend it if you have to without it braking - is it a pretty tough wire in your opinion?
By the way the plane is an RTF P-51D if this helps you any. Thanks.