I have this unit on my bench for repairs with the following issues, no tape activity at all and CD cannot play track 1 it struggles to track or even start on track 1. Track 2 it will play but sometimes will skip a bit from there on it is fine. Now I have come across before on other CD players and can fix it if I can get access to it. This is typically caused by dirt and dust on the gears and in particular the tracking gears.
I have removed the back, top and sides of the case which provided easy access to the tape drive, Got this out and the problem with that is the 2 drive belts have become basically sticky goo and fell apart, this is horrible sticky stuff like tar (quite possibly some has fallen into the CD drive which is below. Drive belts I think I can overcome as there is a company that supplies drive belts for tape drives etc.
Problem is I cannot see how to gain access to the CD drive which sits right on the bottom with the main amplifier board (looking at the unit from the rear) vertically on the right that on the right that plugs onto the control panel at the front. Plugged horizontally onto the amp board is the tuner, vertically at the rear is the power supply, on the left side, again vertically is the CD control board.
I'll post some photos to further update this thread shortly to show the layout and the issues that I'm struggling with. I have removed the tuner and removed any screws that are holding down the heat sink, removed all ribbon cables and other ancillary leads that can get access to. Removed the volume knob and likewise all the screws that appear to be retaining the front panel to the chassis but cannot remove the front panel.
Has anyone attempted this type of repair before or does anyone have any knowledge of this particular unit at all, if so then I'd love to hear your thoughts and ideas etc on how I can get access to the CD drive, please.
Edit. I do have a copy of the service manual, but it makes zero mention of how to dismantle the thing, seems to make the assumption that everyone knows what to remove and in what order etc
EDIT:
Here are the photos to help jog memories etc.