Also snake arrester?

Red lever alko snake arrested on my 1998 caravan purchased last year is so hard to engage I need to stand on it and stamp on handel to engage it.
The ball I changed for alko one thinking that was the problem but no different.
Have idea some ass my have added more disc shims to cut corners saving money as the discs are expensive. When we get nice warm day will have go removing the discs.
Welcome other ideas.
Advice in crap weather. Not a problem in use daily but in storage it is
Have you drained off all water? Especially heat if it freezes in tank it weakens tie rod and first bit of pressure when heated bar breaks tank comes off shedding lots of water. I know by experience.