xt mechs

In an attempt to sort a problem with my other halfs mtb, me being a roadie, but don't hold it against me
I've picked up a pair of xt mechs of fleabay, but they do not appear to work that well with the old shifters-alvio I think. The front mech wants to move to far, as though the chainrings where to close together, and have just figured out I have a low normal mech. The question is should the xt mechs work with other shifters in the shimano ranges, or where they designed only to work as a full groupset.
Cheers Gary,

Cheers Gary,
"Nothing is foolproof to a sufficently talented fool"
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make sure the wire is correctly mounted on the correct side of the bolt. (look for the groove).
Parktools :?:SheldonBrown