Date: 201807
Local time of day: 1201-1800
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Flight conditions: VMC
Aircraft: Regional Jet 700 ER/LR (CRJ700)
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Other Standing
Aircraft component: Aileron Control System
Component problem: Malfunctioning
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Captain; Pilot Flying
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Multiengine
Human factors: Time Pressure; Communication Breakdown
Second reporter function: Pilot Not Flying; First Officer
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: Pre-flight; Routine Inspection
Result: Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Contributing factors: Aircraft; Company Policy
Primary problem: Aircraft

Narrative: Pushed back from the gate. While performing the Flight Controls check; First Officer found that the control wheel was binding and not moving smoothly when he moved it left and right. He pointed this out to me so I exercised the control wheel and agreed with him. Per the SOP; we are to check for smooth movement without binding. Obviously; the Check FAILED. We wrote it up; and I contact Dispatch who put me thru to Maintenance. The first A&P soon arrived and trouble shot the system. He found that the system was NOT operational or SAFE for flight. He shared with the crew and I he would not be able to sleep at night if he signed it off. He stated that he was going to GROUND THE PLANE. He seemed to be implying pressure from Maintenance [Control] to sign it off.I believe after an hour or so; another A&P arrived. He stated that he was one of the owners or something to that effect. He did not open any panels nor did I see him manipulate the control wheel at this point in time. He stated Maintenance [Control] wanted him to fax a copy of the log can to him and he'd be back. During all of this; I attempted to stay in the loop and up to date with our Dispatcher and various members of Maintenance. No one from my company ever attempted to explain to me what was going on or what the game plan was.Not long after the second A&P left with the log can; I shut the plane down and the crew and I went to wait in the terminal. We all figured we were done for the day; it was just a matter of scheduling calling us to notify us. After some time; I saw the second A&P's truck parked by the plane. I went down to speak with him. He had filled out the corrective action page; BUT had not signed it. He explained the pressure involved in the situation and did not know what to do. I stated that if he signed it off; all I could do was another ops check. If ops check [was] good; per the SOP; I'd fly the plane. If not; then it is my legal responsibility to write it back up. After he signed it off; I ops checked and it FAILED again. The second A&P explained to me that Maintenance [Control] had told him that the crew was fine with operating the aircraft in the current condition. Something to the effect this happens a lot and they have ferried a bunch of aircraft with this same problem.QUESTION? How does Maintenance know exactly what is wrong if they have not laid eyes or a hand on it. Why is the company allowing pilots to operate aircraft that are not airworthy? Surely; [we] are not the only pilots who perform the Flight Controls Checklist and adhere to it? Also; for the Ferry Permit; it states 'Freedom of Movement'. So; now I have two documents that the aircraft's status does NOT agree with.After writing the aircraft up and calling Maintenance to report it was really weird. Maintenance told me I would have to call Dispatch instead of them telling [Dispatch]. I called Dispatch and I was put through to a Supervisor who stated she was going to bring [another person] into the call. [The second person] got on the phone and he started berating me to the point that I felt harassed. He was condescending; belittling; and seemed angry and combative. He questioned me something to the effect of did I know more than Maintenance. I stated I was following the SOP and he raised his voice and stated; he knew what the SOP said [because] he wrote it. At some point during his verbal attack on me; he stated to [the Supervisor] to remove me from duty and they would get another Captain to fly the plane. At that point; I felt I was being bullied. He was trying the indirectly threaten me and bully me to operate the aircraft. My entire crew witnessed this conversation from my end.I would like to point out that I was acting in accordance with [a] SAFETY STATEMENT as well as 14CFR 121.627(a). It appears those collaborating with him in this situation were attempting to hinder me in performing my legal Duties as PIC. I assume they removed me from duty because I would not fly the aircraft illegally; but I was never given; nor have I been given; a reason I was removed from duty or why I have to come see the Chief Pilot. I recommend listening to the tapes. With all that said; the last interesting thing that took place was later that night when I called and attempted to [jumpseat] myself home on a [another company's aircraft] that left before the flight I was scheduled on. The scheduler asked me something to the effect of what time the flight left. She put me on hold then came back and told me I had to take the DH [deadhead] they had me on and I could not [jumpseat]. This was per her supervisor who had conveniently also just left for the night. She then stated something to the effect of if I had a problem with it; to call the Chief Pilot. Again; I know you can probably listen to the tapes. I can't ever remember being denied a [jumpseat] when the last leg of my trip is a DH [deadhead].

Callback: The Reporter stated that the ailerons did not move smoothly and maintenance would not release the aircraft for a ferry flight due to this anomaly. The Reporter stated that he has not experienced this issue in the past; but other pilots have seen this according to their web board.

Second narrative: [There were] mechanical problems requiring maintenance.In ZZZ after push back and engine start according [to] SOP flow; I was doing flight control check; which showed that yoke didn't move smoothly and freely; free of bites during aileron deflection. On the contrary; there were loud clicks; abrupt moves and bites while moving in both directions (left and right) on First Officer side. I pointed this to Captain; he checked his side and found similar bad results.We returned to the gate; waiting for AMT. After inspection by AMT (Aircraft Maintenance Technician) aircraft was grounded. All necessary notes were logged by Captain and AMT. AMT said that he had found that [the] aircraft needed new bearing or pulley for aileron control cables; which is under the cockpit floor. Passengers were moved to the terminal and the flight was cancelled. Then second AMT was invited by our company management; who 'signed off' this issue; stating that aircraft was capable of flying.Captain and I checked the flight controls again and realized that nothing had changed since; nor any fixes were done. Understanding that this issue will not pass the check list again; Captain made the note in the logbook that ailerons control wasn't working smoothly as per SOP. Then; I saw that he had terrible fight over the phone with our company higher management people; who were forcing him to ferry fly aircraft to [another airport] for further maintenance. He refused and the plane was inspected by third AMT several hours later; who didn't find the plane flyable and kept it grounded.Proper maintenance and proper arrangement of fixing issues found by crew on the line. It's not fair and not safe to force crew to fly broken plane to the maintenance base.

Second callback: The Reporter stated that the ailerons had an abrupt movement when tested; they were not smooth with or without hydraulics pressure. The Reporter stated that the more they tested the system the worse it got. The Reporter also stated that maintenance found the ailerons were unacceptable for flight. The Reporter stated that he tests the ailerons on every aircraft he flies and has never encountered this condition. The Reporter stated that the aircraft was out of service and maintenance has worked the problem for several days. The reporter stated that he does not know what maintenance did to repair the aircraft.

Synopsis: A CRJ flight crew reported that the ailerons felt very rough and had loud clicks during preflight flight control checks.