Manual release for front trunk very hard on 2000S, where to look to fix?

[steved0x]

I have a 2000 Boxster S with a mechanical front trunk release, and it is very hard to do, to the point where I am worried I am going to break something. I have to pull very hard on the lever to the left of the driver seat on the floor to get it to open. (To contrast, pulling the release for the rear trunk is so easy I could do it with my pinkie if I wanted). I am going through a list of the little things to fix (I hope this is little) and this one just came up on my list

Does anyone know where to start to look? Is it a lubrication issue? A binding cable? Or just a worn out hood latch/lock mechanism in need of replacement.

When searching for this I didn't find a match but I did find one where a person had broken one of their levers... I fear I may be next Any hot tips?

thanks!

Steve