R8070 Di2 Hydro Shifter Repair

[iamalex]

After a small crash the brake lever action on my left hand R8070 shifter has become sticky/stiff. It’s only at the start of pulling the lever that the action feels a little stiff, becoming less stiff as the brake lever travels further.

The crash put pressure on the outside of the shifter. Enough to push the shift buttons out of place but they were an easy fix.

No play in the lever movement.

Lever doesn’t look bent. I thought maybe the axle the lever pivots on might be damaged but the Shimano manual says this is not a removable/repairable part on hydro shifters.

Any thoughts how I might fix?