I've had good luck using contact cleaner/lube combo, in conjunction w/compressed air. soak it down, blow it off several times. Seems to re-wet the dried up lubricant. I get in there w/a jewelers screwdriver as Dave says and wiggle the halves. Sometimes I can pry the halves open enough to let in a slug of cleaner. Cheers! Jim Falls K6FWT Eureka, CA