[pikfish]

In your picture of the "white tube" it looks like it is broken or disconnected from the fitting. This white tube is a protective jacket for the end of the spring like steering cable. If it has been loose for a while and the steering not used then mosture, salt, etc can cause you trouble. After you get the steering moving freely, you can recenter the cable assembly to give you equal travel in both directions if needed. You might try disconnecting the cable at the motor end to see if the friction is in the cable or in the motor swivel bracket.