What MTC said it's corrosion in the tilt tube, it was an every year thing for me until I installed a Steersman.
http://www.steersman.com/html/whatitdoes.html
I loosen the cable and then bash it through the tilt tube with mallet against wood. You may need to chase it through the tilt tube with a dowel or metal rod. Make sure you clean the inside of the tube good, I used a 12ga shotgun brush on a drill, then install the Steersman. Do not, do not force the helm or you will be buying a new one of those....how do I know well let's just say lesson learned
