DIAGNOSIS Sawdust, especially from MDF or pine, will get past the dust port and pack into the bevel and lift mechanisms. If left packed, it can make adjustments gritty and eventually cause wear.
FIX The key is disassembly for access. 1) Remove the battery and the blade. 2) Take off the throat plate. 3) Remove the blade guard and riving knife assembly. 4) Tilt the saw to 45 degrees. This opens up the cavity. Now, use a stiff brush (a dry paintbrush works) and a vacuum hose to loosen and remove the bulk of the dust. For the bevel gears and track, a blast of compressed air is ideal. Avoid using water or lubricants; you just want it dry and clean.
IF THAT DIDN'T WORK If mechanisms still feel gritty after cleaning, you can apply a very light dusting of dry graphite powder or a dry PTFE lubricant to the bevel track and lift screw. Do not use wet oils or silicone sprays—they'll just attract more dust and create a grinding paste.
HEADS UP Make this part of your regular maintenance, especially after a big job. Packed sawdust is the enemy of precision and smooth operation. Also, always use your dust collection, even if it's not perfect—it catches 80% of the mess and makes this cleaning job much less frequent.