New Stabilizer pads

I had a real struggle to lower the stabilizer - it had new pads (or whatever the terminology is at service).  Should this really be a problem?  A few years back I had to jump the thing down on a different caravan.  It certainly wasn't this stiff when the caravan was brand new 2 years ago.  Is there anything I can do or do I have to get the service people to deal with it?  Thank you for any advice.  Returning from this trip I gave up and asked a fellow caravanner for help!  Thank you sir!