DAKA

Yes, you could steer port or starboard and nothing happened for the first bit. The most likely explanation is the nut needs to be...

Mine started doing that a few years ago , part 15 the key had been substituted for the shank of an Allen key. I machined a new part...

Could you inflate an old dinghy ( possibly inverted) and leave it at the stern with your transom door open

If it really is just a sticky turbo spindle from lack of use then you don’t need to get your hands mucky or even go into the engine bay...