Sega CD Model 1 drive tray issues/motor probably broken

[jackoctober]

Hello!

Let me start out by saying I've googled and searched this site so if this is a repeat post, let me know and link me. Anyway.

I've been having lots of issues with my Model 1 Sega CD (who hasn't I guess).

I'm going to write a boring description of everything I've done to mine and how I think maybe I could fix it. I apologize if this gets too long or I start to sound like an idiot.
----
Originally, the drive tray would open and close all the time, but I found a video on youtube to fix that (which involved repairing/gluing the drive feet down so the *drive closed* switch can be hit by the black gear, most of you CD owners have probably learned of that trick by now) and that held fine for a few months (IE the tray would open and I could close it, and it would stay closed).

Now, I go to turn on my Sega for some friggin' Final Fight and the drive tray absolutely would not open. I poked it a few times and determined it wasn't stuck in there wrong, so I took it apart.

After much fooling and diddling, I replaced the servo belt with a Xbox 360 one which was smaller, because I figured my tray drive belt finally wore out. Well, no dice.

After that, I just removed the top casing and held my genesis onto the Sega CD unit, powered it all up, and retracted the drive tray to see if the spindle would spin and if it would close (but not in that order). It would ONLY close the disc tray, it would never under any circumstances open it, ever. I tried it about ten times; I'd open the tray carefully by hand, then reset, and it would close like it should, but never open.

So after that, I removed the disc tray and the rubber drive belt from the spindle. and hit reset. The spindle would clearly spin open, then it would spin closed in the opposite direction. I hit reset and rested my finger over the spindle VERY lightly and noticed with minimal pressure it would still rotate counter clockwise, but not clockwise.

So here's where I need input.

I looked up to see if you could still buy the drive motor, and thankfully you can. The model is a Mabuchi RF-500TB-14415 DC Motor. These do not come with the, uh, spindle...cup...thingy...that thing the drive belt sits into. So I suppose I have a few concerns...

1. Have any of you had this problem, or a similar problem, and replaced the tray motor? Is it scary/hard?

2. If you have, is it possible for a dumb person to fix it?

3. How can I reuse the thingy (for the love of god someone tell me what this part is called) that the drive belt sits in? Doesn't seem like it'll come off easy.

4. I always forget how I lined up my drive tray. Anybody got a method to timing it correctly without sitting and doing it 35 times?

I THINK I have a general idea of how to progress, I just want some feedback from some people who have had to really fix these things before.

Also, if we figure mine out, I think it would be a good idea to post some sort of tutorial/FAQ/guide about common Sega CD problems and how you can fix them, because it really seems like none of these Model 1 Sega CDs stay in working order without some kind of hassle/DIY fixes. Just a suggestion.

Anyway, sorry for length. Tell me if what I'm doing is a good plan or not. I think a new drive motor is like $5.00. At worst I suppose I'm out five dollars if it doesn't fix the issue.

Thanks for your patience,

jackoctober