The roping inside the awning material should be wrapped over end of roller tube. That prevents the awning from shifting on the tube. Screws through the gutter prevent it from shifting in the gutter. Easy to remove the screws.
Open the awning and leave the ratchet in the down position. Now lift up the ends of the roller tube, tighten up the upper arm so it holds the roller tube up. This will take the weight off the awning and make it easier to slide in the gutter.
I just replaced the material on our 8500 awning. The rear arms were binding and wouldn't close. Even with new awning material they were still binding. The brackets holding the awning at the top have slotted holes. I had to loosen the lag screws and adjust the brackets front to rear so the two arms came together properly. I didn't put the screws through the gutter and into the awning until everything worked smoothly. Works like a dream now.