Yep, grease the lift spring tubes as capucine described. If it's dry and binding, I would recommend starting with the top down and apply some grease. Then raise the top a few inches and apply a little more grease. Keep doing this until top is all the way up. This will ensure that the entire length of the springs are lubricated. After applying the grease, it will take a few cycles of cranking up and down to get the smoothness back. Ask me how I know...