I had an issue with Spindle coming up last year on the water. Thought is power issue, switched out batteries and it still would not go up. I wd-40d it up and fired right up. Same thing happened Saturday on the water. but I had to use hard force with miscellaneous objects to work it up in and down. No amount of lube would get it going. My questions are:

Should I be able to pull the spindle up and down with my hand?
Do the guts cease up in these?
I believe it is a hitachi. Is their better ones to replace it with?
From my bad description, does it sound like it needs a new starter?
Any other trouble shooting ideas?

luckily the wind was perfect and came in 3 miles on the trolling motor.
thank you in advance

Replace the starter bendix

Try putting a little grease on shaft where the bendix rides on starter shaft.I bet it is dry.

Thanks guys