Steering cable -linkage arm issue on outboard- remote steer from console

[Truefire]

This 40hp, 88 Evinrude of mine has an issue with the steering cable linkage (slide). The motor has setup for awhile and hasn't been used.

The issue: seized slide. I can manipulate the cable itself, in and out, with a little turn of the steering wheel. However, that slide that connects to the motor control arm will not budge at all. I have tried various approaches to no avail. ANY ideas, thoughts or suggestions?

I cannot take the cable completely out however because of the radius binding up against the gunwale on the boat. It would be almost impossible to do that without removing the motor from the transom, which I ABSOLUTELY do not feel like doing.

 

[AVeryHungryHobo]

try adding some grease? hit the zerk fittings or manually apply.? have a friend lift the weight off the moter and budge it while you apply left or right pressure

 

[Truefire]

Yeah, I've been playing around with it today quite a bit. A friend dropped by and we both worked on it for a little while, to no avail. I've tried tapping it loose, large channel lock pliers will not budge the slide and I cannot understand why. Puzzled that such a slick cylinder could seize up so tightly. May attempt to lift the motor with a 'come along', to alleviate some of the pressure on this pivot pin that the slide is housed inside of.

Didn't know if someone up here might have a trick up their sleeve that I wasn't aware of.