I HATE to admit it BUT

There's a bunch of different designs over the years.

If you post 3 or 4 pictures, somebody will be able to tell you exactly what to do.

STOP THE PRESSES...........I went out & played with it some more & found out if I grab the intersecting arm further away from the camper beyond the pivot point where the two pieces of the arm intersect, I can pull it toward the camper while pressing the button & I can tug the button up to the next hole. So the problem is solved, sure wish someone with know how would post a video on youtube showing how to adjust the Carefree awning to lower one side. For me it was not intuitive to pull on the part of the awning that does the job. I would post a pic here but I can't figure how to do that either.

Big Rig (John)

Just a thought here but... You stated that you have never had one side of the awning lowered so maybe some dirt got in there and with the help of moisture will only allow the arm to extend in one direction... I would be cleaning the entire assembly as well as lubricating all moving parts.
This is just my opinion so make your decision and good luck.

For how to post photos, look here. http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/29060890.cfm

LED 67, I am sure cleaning and lubing would help but after figuring out how it is done, I believe it is all about technique. I am a slow learner.

Big Rig (John)

that was the first thing I did to my rear awning. I found I had to push the button than raise the bottom rail into the top rail as the top rail was pretty stiff fighting the pressure of the gas strut.