Very strange steering issue

[Russell Clifton]

Just recently bought a new to me boat that has had very little use. On first trip out the steering was very stiff. When I got home I did some research, disconnected the cable from the engine, the engine turned freely and the helm turned easy. Cleaned the tilt tube and lubed with blue marine grease, cleaned the cable and greased. Seemed to work ok at home but was not ok when used a week later. Repeated same procedures, on next trip stiff steering was back. This time when I tilted the motor up just slightly it worked better, but not perfect. When I got home, with the boat on the trailer there was no difference when the motor was fully down or slightly tilted up.
So any ideas on what might cause this issue? Thanks guys.

 

[racerone]

????-----What motor or outdrive is installed on your boat ??

 

[Russell Clifton]

The motor is a Honda 115hp, 2006 model. The steering is a Uflex T73FC, rotary helix, the boat is a 20foot welded aluminum with the motor mounted on a pod.