airforce1,
i'm afraid i have to disagree. having the control wheel neutral and aircraft in-trim are two different thing... i believe thats the point Jambo was trying to make.
ideally, when the aircraft is in-trim, the control wheel should be neutral. if i'm not mistaken, the b737 books says the spoilers will start to deploy if control wheel is greater the 1.6 units displaced. the correct thing to do, IMHO, is to send the aircraft to the hangar where it should be re-rigged. if i recall correctly, the books also mention about entering in MR when displacement is > 3/4 units.
i used the following technique to achieve 'perfect' trim:
1. Select HDG SEL
2. Trim Rudder TOWARD 'wing-low' side
(take as much time you need)
3. Disengaged A/P
4. Trim off any aileron force
5. Re-engage A/P
I teach this to all my F/Os... it works much better than trying to hand-fly wings level and looking for a heading drift.
HS