I can't comment about the gas struts, but your problem may be in the arms that nest inside of each other in the retracted position. These arms are aluminum extrusions or sheet metal stampings that are soft enough to have the rails bent or distorted in handling, installation or use. Our power awnings were not in perfect alignment, either - the arms would rub on each other slightly as they move to the extended or retracted position. Although it helps to lube the arms, the solution (if that's your problem) would be to find the areas that are rubbing and make an alignment adjustment with a Crescent wrench to move the sides of the arms enough to eliminate the rubbing.
Rusty
