How do I get this folding squat rack's mounting point to operate properly?

Please see this video and reference this photo to see the issue I'm facing and what the mounting bars/points are. For the life of me, I can't get this "new to me" folding squat rack's spring mechanisms to work and allow the two bars to rotate. I know that I'm gonna have to unscrew the bars and install before putting the rack itself onto it, but I'm confused on why there's so much tension to the point that I can't get them to work.

Do I need to hit with WD-40? Is it an issue of there's just too tension? Is it just that the washer is pressing too much and I need to unscrew/loosen it and its nut? Thank you.