RE: Should elevator move same in both directions?
When set up with all the linkage and adjusted then yes the elevator should move the same distance down as up.
It sounds as though you are just moving it with no linkage and checking maximum throw then that is not important as you will be likely removing maximum throw with with linkage adjustment.
In other words you want it to go up and down the same as listed in the manuals for high rate elevator, any more is unncessary.
John