They do wear out. I had to replace the drivers side mech in mine. See if you can use your hand on the lever and lock/unlock it with the rods disconnected.

68 Road Runner, 69 Belvedere, 71 Challenger Vert
340 barracuda, 01 Ram CTD, 95 Ram, 04 Ram, 85 Daytona turbo Z
66 GTO, 06 Magnum RT AWD. 07 Ram CTD, 07 Ram