Disassemble, clean, lightly grease the shafts and contact points of the tuning keys?

 

Disassemble ... as in " remove" all 12 tuning assembly? Ouch!
And, what kind of grease are you suggesting?

 

And, what kind of grease are you suggesting?

Actually, I should have typed oil.

 

I will try a bit of oil but not quite ready for a disassembly of all of the 12 tuners! Scary!

 

Is all hardware tightened? It may be binding up. Maybe a shot of 3 in 1 oil will help.

 

Pretty much all of it ... especially at the E, A, and D strings/pegs.
I'm now afraid to try to tune it and cause damage to the mechanics and pop strings.

 

Any old light oil like 3in1. Put it on the gears and turning points then tune the string down a tone or so then up. That should serve and then apply some more just before the next time you change strings so it can really work in. There's no need to disassemble it. If you apply too much dab it off with some toilet paper. My dobro had similar open tuners. I'd lube them with whatever was at hand. They're 51 years old and still going strong.

 

Great

I'll get to it tomorrow then.
3 in 1 oil that you find in any hardware store right?

 

Yep. Or motor oil, cannabis oil, whatever, so long as it's slippy.

 

And don't forget to apply a drop to where the shaft passes through the headstock. You may have to to that from the front rather than the back.

 

Great.
I'm sure I have what's needed then. I may be able to avoid a trip to the hardware store!

 

Once you have it oiled, play it a bit more often.

 

Sounds like you're on the right track. I'm curious to know if they turned freely without the strings attached.