Could it be the helm itself and how can I check it

the teleflex ssytem always feels stiff to me, even when brand new. The teleflex system uses a spring loaded clutch to prevent the helm from moving under torque, you have to break the clutch loose before tunring the wheel, thats why its always stiff at the initial movement, but frees up while you are steering. The U flex system uses planitary gears and is far easier to turn. Disconect the cable end and compare how it feels at the helm, then pull the cable out of the tilt ram and see if that helps

Thanks spare that's what ihave to do to see we're the problem is but I hate taking off the console cause the screw holes are stripped So I always have to insert anchors in them But goats the only way to find out , but do you think I have to much play in the steering I would guess it's about 2 to 4 inches of play

leave it hooked up at the helm, only disconnect the engine end to check it. Look to see if the outer jacket(black part) of the cable moves when turning the wheel, it shouldn't. IF it does, somethings loose

Thanks spare I will do that

If I wanted to find out if the hard steering is cause of the steering tube what if I do this
Remove the nut on the starboard side that hold the cable to the engine and turn the wheel it should be loose cause it's not pushing it thru the tibe, right if it's still hard then the problem could be in the cable do you guys agree with me . ..?

Disconnect link arm.
Turn wheel> if easy, problem not cable >if hard, problem is cable

If hard> turn motor left/right by hand, probably hard to turn, pivot shaft needs grease, if you grease it, does grease come out bottom/top? Grease may be bound up (grease pressure make it hard to turn), remove zerk fitting and stand back.

A really clean, well greased pivot shaft and you should be able to push motor left/right easily with link arm disconnected

If I disconnect the link arm when I turn the wheel it's still going to push the cable thru the tube it won't turn the motor cause it's disconnected but it will still be hard? What I am saying is that if I disconnect the nut on the starboard side of the motor and turn the wheel if it's not the cable it should be easy to turn cause I'm not pushing it thru the tube it would push out the to starboard side ,if the problem is the cable it will still be hard if it's not the cable it should be easy, am in right in thinking this?

:head::head: yes

First step is disconnect link arm.

That isolates problem to either the cable or the pivot shaft of the motor (or possibly both)

If its the cable, you should be able free it up by cleaning and greasing when extended out of the port side of the motor.
You should be able to turn the wheel with your pinky finger. If you can't, then the cable is binding inside of the black plastic sheath....buy a new one...
Disconnecting the starboard side nut is not going to do anything unless you get the whole cable out. That will let you clean out old grease better.

If the motor does not turn easily by hand with the link arm disconnected from the cable, you need to grease or clean & regrease the pivot shaft.

My pivot shaft has been giving me some trouble. new grease was not pushing out old grease so the grease gun was "pressurizing " the shaft making it even harder to turn. I took out the zerk fitting and it shot grease out the hole! That made it easier to turn but not great. I sprayed WD into the hole and top/bottom and moved it back&forth alot. That loosened it up "good enough to go fishing". In the spring I will probably pull the motor and disassemble and clean the pivot. I remember when my motor was new that thing was smooth and really easy to turn by hand, even with cable attached.