soak the mechanism up front with oil..check for interference where rod goes thru the floor...lube it with oil or silicone grease...make sure the round gasket is free to float on the retainer (around the rod on the floor) spray blaster along the cable..make sure it isnt pinched along frome by gas tank...i call it "lube and look" or is "look and lube?" regards tim the luber looker