Mercury steering pivot point bearings?

[DEN]

Just brought a 97 merc OB (225 hp-carbed) , put it on a stand.
Rotating the OB back and forth, its very stiff.
After doing a little research, only real way it fix is
remove the OB from the pivot point,clean, replace bearings.
if I am wrong, please jump in here.

My question is what are these bearing called. I need to know what purchase.
Never done this before. Is this an easy job?
Who's done this before? A little advise would be greatful!
Thanks in advance.

[BOATMANBLUES]

pull the motor off at the mounts..pull the steering arm out of the swivel bracket..pull the seals and bushings out of the brackets..get all the crud and old grease out...put in new bushings and seals and bolt it back together...if all the bolts come out it's easy peasy...if they don't , then it's a PITA...

[CircleHook]

Typically this is a saltwater motor problem- and that is the problem because then everything else is froze up also. You being in Ok maybe it is not salted.

[DEN]

Hook, you would be correct.. after inspecting the OB a little closer, I can see the salt build up/ traces on the OB.
Under the cowl, not so much, I can see small traces but not much.
I have never worked on a big OB like this one. I did buy a service manual for it off ebay yesterday.
I wont even attempt this until I read how this comes apart.
Thanks for you input gentlemen

[Onetime]

Just to make your day.
It’s pretty much the last part to come out of the engine when your disassembling it!

[DEN]

I found some utube vid on the subject. Combining all the vid I watch, I work out the stiffness in it.
Swings very nicely now...without taking it apart.

Thanks for all the input guys!