ok i have attempted this one many times and its really annoying to me. i have my follower right there and i keep telling them to pull the lever but nothing happens i move them around still nothing. am i the only one who is frustrated with this issue?

You ae posting in the wrong forum. Ask a moderator to move it for you.

well im not sure if its a bug or maybe i was just doing it wrong so i was just asking before i reported it. its just more of a question atm

I'm sorry. Where are my manners?
Welcome to the forum. I know the quest you speak of, but I have not had issues with it not working. You can check the UESP as well, for bug issues with the game.
http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Skyrim

EDIT : Have a complementary fishy stick. http://images.uesp.net/c/c4/Fishystick.jpg

Please do not post Spoilers in General.

People come to General to learn about the game without learning about what happens in the game. If they want to know about what happens, that is what the Cheats, Hints and Spoilers section is for.

Do not use quest details or location specific details related to quests/puzzles/NPCs in your posts in this section. General is for discussing gameplay and mechanics. General topics about the the game include but are not limited to races, items and their use, magic, enchanting, skills, character builds, criticism, praise, funny random things that happen, places from an esthetic standpoint and and other general topics.

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I will move this now.

Is your follower a dark brotherhood initiate, if so, they won't pull the lever, find someone else