After 30 years, the grease and grime has finally caught up with it. There are no physical restrictions from it extending all the way up or all the way down, but it's pretty gross at the seams. Dealing with these things can be a chore, but when they're properly lubricated they work well.

What do I clean it with and what do I relubricate it with?

.... what?... what did you think I was talking about?

Astroglide works for lube. And when it rains, it'll relube itself.

Clean it with rubbing alcohol and lube it with mineral oil, stuff you'd use to lube your hair clippers. It should not gum up and strain the motor.

Wow, that's just priceless.

I'd use WD40 (and an absorbent cloth)

Wow, that's just priceless.

I'd use WD40 (and an absorbent cloth)

to clean also?

Wait, you guys are taking this seriously?

I find WD-40 to leave a build-up, as on my garage door tracks. I think a build-up would cause harm.

Hmmm..don't have this problem with mine, they are fixed masts.

I find WD-40 to leave a build-up, as on my garage door tracks. I think a build-up would cause harm.

Thus the cloth, Ocn.

Yeah Olds, it worked like a charm on the Maserati.

Hmmm..don't have this problem with mine, they are fixed masts.

Isn't that a problem after 4 hours or so?

Why did I come in here? Why? I knew what I was walking into.

Edited March 10, 201115 yr by Turbojett

Why did I come in here? Why? I knew what I was walking into.

I agree with camino on the wd 40..