Sticky landing gear

[Flapper]

I have "manual" landing gear on my fifth. Both are moderately difficult to deploy/retract. One will drop of its own weight when I pull the pin, but is a bit sticky when manually lifting it - I can have one hand pull the pin, while using the other to lift and wiggle, but its not all that easy.
The other won't drop of its own accord, and requires a bit of wiggle to get it fully down. Lifting is really hard - usually I have to get the DW to pull the pin, while I use both hands to lift and wiggle to get it up.
On both, the pins don't pop readily into place all the way, and I again have to do some turn and wiggle to get them fully in.

Any hints on how to "tune" these to be easier? I'm hesitant to try any lubricants, thinking that that may be a magnet for road dirt, making things worse.

[robkelly]

My recommendation would be a good cleaning and then use something like a teflon lubricant that won't attract dirt and grime.

[3'senough]

You might have bent one which is why it's fighting you. Definitely a dry lube vs wet. Hook it up to the TV and retract fully so you can work it in and out.