I wish I had a new one to compare it to but I don't. The thing goes up but it takes a little force. Is it supposed to be real easy to push up?
The first time I tried pushing it up, it look a little force almost like I broke it free, and now it seems to move alright. I'm thinking maybie it was correded in place or somthing.

 

it takes slight force to push it up. its not like real real easy. at leat thats how it is on mine.

 

i'd say not real hard but you can feel it move and it takes a little effort

 

Most of the time they dont get rusted up. They get all carboned up. If you think its sticking you can try and clean it out.