Lol... No, I was sure to lift the release lever, in fact, the button is worn and barely stays in the adjustment holes. It was going to be one of my first DYI projects. But after I slid the top support arm all the way down, lifted the release handle....Nothing, it just locked up tight after moving 1/3 of the way down. I thought debris as well. I guess my next question is, do I disconnect the brace from the bracket on the body and somehow force the 'insert' out or did I ruin that whole one side already??..lol... I hate not knowing exactly how things work, is it really as simple as two parts that slide up and down? If so, I can probably straighten out the arm that fits in the outer channel and make it work. But, if my lick holds true, it's much more complicated than that