How to fix a seized V-Brake arm? I was checking the brake pads on my bicycle and I noticed one of the arms seems to be seized:



It's this arm (I hope that's the right technical term). It will move but it's very stiff and when I use the brakes the other arm is doing all the work.

I did a search of the site and this seems a common problem but I couldn't find a simple explanation of how to fix it. Do I just undo the hex bolt at the end, apply grease and hope I can put it all back together? If so are there any I wish I hadn't done that pitfalls to avoid?

If it's relevant this is a town bike, a hybrid, rather than a true mountain bike so it's not a performance machine.
V-brakes aren't too complicated but there are a few things to watch out for:


you need quite a lot of torque to undo the bolt 
the spring may make it fall apart sooner than you expect - hold on as you undo 
make sure all the parts go back in the right order - take care as you dismantle.  Work with a tray underneath to catch anything that falls. 


Once you've taken it to bits, clean all the muck and loose rust off the parts, the grease and reassemble. The bolt should be tight. You'll probably need to do the other arm as well, and may need to adjust the return spring screws. Obviously don't get grease or greasy hands on the pads.