Loud noisy electric awning

Have a Carefree electric awning. Nice awning but - it moans/groans loudly while it's being extended or retracted. Besides annoying, it's embarrassing. Has been at the dealer twice to get fixed but just got it back from the dealer again last week and it's still making the noise. Was just looking at it and I think it might be the gas shock. Can these shocks make a loud noise if defective? The dealer has tried lube twice and I have numerous times also, so it's time to consider another source. I can't see what else it would be.

The shock struts look like they have a riveted end on the pin that holds the end of the shock in place. Maybe the pin gets tapped or pressed out? I hate to have to take the TT back out to the dealer again only to have it sit there while a part gets shipped in. I can possibly get the part for the cost of the gas it will take to drive to the dealer and back (times two) and install it myself if easy to do.