!971 Sweet 16 OB hydraulic steering question

I recently acquired a Sweet 16 OB, the hydraulic steering is quirky, some times it tends to lock up until I raise or lower the drive other times its stiff. I have a 1988 Mercury 135 which has steering stops similar to a triple tree on a motorcycle.

Is there a way to rebuild the system or is there some I can check?

I purchased steering fluid and bled the system according to the directions but really didn't make a difference.

Thanks
Tauni

It is possible that the pivot shaft is binding, remove the bolt that attaches the ram assy to the tiller. See if the engine pivots freely, if not so heat and some grease will get it free!

I'll check it out this morning.