1987 procraft 200hp mercury outboard steering stiff

[Micropertus]

Just bought this boat. Hasn't run in a couple years. At first I couldn't turn the steering wheel at all. With some help I'm now able to fully turn it but it's still a little stiff. Any ideas to loosen it a little more, other than replacing the cables (which doesn't look that easy to do! )?

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,..... Have ya disconnected the motor from the cable, to see where it's bindin' up,..??

If the swivel tube on the motor has grease fittin's, have they been greased,..??

 

[Micropertus]

Thank you!
Disconnected linkage from motor One cable pushes and pulls out fairly easy. The other cable is the issue. A lot of "gunk" comes out of shaft as we work it in and out. Looked for grease fittings but wasn't that lucky to have them.