Do you currently have NoFeedbackSteering (NFS) ? If not, that will help with torque steer. There is regular cable, NFS and hydraulic.
I'll be blasted for this, but I am no fan if hydraulic. It's a necessary evil normally used to control outboards over 150hp. Even without the maintaince problems, hydraulic is less than ideal, IMO. In tight docking procedures, for example when you need to go hard over, a burst of throttle, and hard over again, hydraulic is very slow. Small course corrections in open water require a big swing on the wheel.
Of course, when hydraulic fails, you have no steering, unless you have 2 motors. A catastropic failure with cable is almost impossible, never heard of one.
The WD-40 (or your favorite protectorant) thing will help maintain the rod. Any small scratch or rough spot (corosion)will wear the seals super fast. Look at the rods on a piece of heavy equipment and notice the mirror like finish. One scratch will ruin the seal...don't ask me how I know. :wink: