Other way around, the bushes had worn out on the pump motor to the point where it was only the springs providing the spark. The pump worked enough to get the gear up but not enough to provide enough pressure to put it up completely. Then with some sort of leak the pump was unable to run and the nose gear drooped down, but for some reason not the mains.
It proves the benefit of having a check list for essential actions. My passengers were a little concerned and then happy they had a bar story!!