Thanks you guys!
I took it apart and put it back together multiple times, trying to figure out what was going on. Then a friend suggested that I use a Sharpie to mark up the magnets and the middle part and see what was rubbing. So I took it apart again, put the markings on, closed it up, and miraculously it is not rubbing any more! Either Sharpie makes a good lubricant or I just got lucky. I think it's a Christmas miracle. I'm not going to take it apart again and find out :-).
And Merry Christmas to all, and wish me luck when I reinstall it in the machine :-)
