Reclining garden furniture gas piston

[PaulStat]

Just received a nice new garden sofa with reclining sides. They recline by the means of a piston which has a pin on it. The pin is pushed by pulling a handle which pulls a cable which in turn pulls something to press the pin down.

Great, but even when the pin is fully pressed the piston thing does nothing. Sound like I'm missing a crucial step?

 

[Delvis]

A manufacturer and model might help

 

[bazzabear]

Are you sure the handle is supposed to actively make it recline?Maybe it just removes a lock which allows you to recline it with your own weight?