Hydraulic assist question

[strombolichef]

Removed 88 steering cable then was moving out drive side to side to try and grease things and loosen em up. Looked in bilge and saw that the power steering pump reservoir had overflowed a couple ounces into the bilge from doing this. Engine off all the time. Is this normal? How hard should it be to turn the out drive when ps pump is not running. Not sure if the cable was completely the culprit but it was very rusty inside and all grease dried up so I'm glad to be changing it out. What should I do to the steering gear before re assembling with new cable

Ps merc 5.7 early 80s model. Thanks!!!

 

[ENSIGN]

Re: Hydraulic assist question

The ps pump was probably over filled,with the cable disconnected it should be fairly easy to move the drive back and forth.Before installing the cable grease any visible fittings while turning the out drive.Some times the swivel bushings will freeze up from lack of lubrication.Clean the inside of the steering tube and grease the cable before reinstalling it.