the u bolt nuts on top of the gimbal ring are TIGHT
they are not moving at all
but the tiller arm moves UP AND DOWN not side to side
The drive itself does not move up and down with play, the play is side to side.
seems weird I know but that is the situation
the gimbal and swivel on this side were replaced recently (I know this cause there is the hole drilled in transom assembly and plastic plug is in there.
Jason

Jay,90% chance your steering cable is seizing.If you can move the drives by hand,then you can move them by cable even without power steering so I doubt that your power assist ram or brazil valve are at fault.As for Audio's suggestion of reversing the lines on the valve,nope,cant,different size SAE fittings.Just disconnect the cable at both ends,haul it out and replace it.The last thing you need now is to hit something because you cannot make an emergency avoidance turn.