Help Determine the root of my steering issue

[No Clew?]

I was out on my 1981 17ft Four Winns bowrider last weekend and my steering really started getting tight. Engine is a 1980's Evinrude 115 with (i believe) teleflex rotary steering. I think i may have heard a snap at one point (helm teeth)? On the way back in, the steering was much harder in one direction than the other, but with some muscle i made it back to port. FYI- this old motor itself is somewhat hard to turn even when not connected and that is probably what broke the rest of the system (I tried lubing the Zirks on the swivel tube and dumping some penetrating oil in there, this helped a bit). So regardless of that, the steering is much worse than it was before and i need to determine the issue. I am unsure how old the helm/cable are. Before this weekend the steering would spin easily with my pinky when not connected to the motor. Also FYI, the steering wheel had a bit of play in it when connected to the motor and there are a couple of 2 ft loops diameter in the cable.
My first guess is that the helm gears were worn (hence the steering play) and now they are broken. What i am looking to learn is how to test for a bad steering cable and/or bad helm so I know if i need to buy the whole kit or not. Also what is the cheapest kit for that i can get that is not junk? My last question is that i have a junkie plastic steering wheel that bends a bit. Would a steel destroyer get me more torque? Sorry for the length of this post, thanks!