I took many forces surplus meters apart in my younger years, I even managed to put some of them back together. I recently had to repace the complete pointer counterweight of an edgewise meter that had suffered a severe drop.
A few points:
1. Cleanliness - you need to get it out of the equipment and onto a large sheet of white paper on the bench, clear of all swarf
2. Light - You need to open the casing under bright illumination so you can see what you're doing (and anything that drops out)
3. Magnification - A binocular microscope eg armscope is ideal, a decent magnifier will do, preferably stand mounted.
It's more likely that something has dropped into the magnetic gap and is fouling the movement than it being the bearings - they are normally a loose fit, just retaining the bearing points for minimum stiction - there should be tiny amount of 'wobble'.
Don't try lubricating it - there isn't really an oil fine enough and it will clog or spread, as I said, the bearing points are very loose in the jewels compared with something like a watch. If it gets on the hairsprings it will be a bugger to get off.
Don't use solvents either - quite a lot of the moving coil assembly components are only held together with varnish of one type or another, it's even used for final balancing of the movement.
The reason for the sticking will probably be visible as you move the needle (preferably with a power source and a pot). Check that the needle base isn't catching the hairspring or dial edge, also that it is still parallel with the scale - likewise the couterweights (rear and side ones) - they can become bent out of line due to mechanical shocks.
Check that the turns of the hairsprings haven't become crossed - again, that can also happen with severe shocks.
Look down the magnetic gap as the moving coil rotates - if it's a transparent casining then you should get good contrast from the white paper. It might be a small piece of magnetic swarf or even a flaked bit of varnish. It should be easy to remove using... very fine magnet wire, a very thin sliver of adhesive tape, or if necessary, a fine steel needle (magnetic swarf).
The tinyest interference (fabric fibre) at the end of the needle can cause it to stick, but as you get close in to the coil and bearing axis the torque goes up and the source of interference easier to see.
Static buildup on the window can cause the meter to be attracted to a particular area and even cause it to stick. The easiest way to dissipate it is to wash the front of the casing (inside and out under running water) shake and blow it dry, you can pick up water droplets with the corner of a tissue but never wipe it dry or you will cause more static.
It would be really helpful to have a couple of photos so we can see what we're dealing with.
EDIT: If the behaviour changes depending on whether the meter is horizontal or vertical, that can be a big clue too.
Check the current sensitivity too - a 50uA meter has a lot less restoring force than a 1mA one.