Upper and lower station steering issues - Bayliner 2858

I have a 1998 Bayliner 2858 with Mercruiser 7.4, Bravo II which I have had for 10+ years. For most of those years I have had the lower helm steering cable disconnected as the problem developed that long ago. I would like to get it operable again. The upper helm works OK. When I turn the lower helm wheel, the lower cable moves freely. When I attach the lower helm cable, neither upper nor lower function. Disconnected, the upper works OK again. The out drive turns freely, the cables move freely and the upper operates as it should. The fluid level is up. That leads me to think that the actuator is the problem unless there may be something in the system from the power steering pump to the steering unit that is mounted on the transom that requires bleeding, preventing that actuator from operating when the lower is connected. I invite anyone with experience with this system to advise. Thank you