so I've got it out. popped the top (also noticed the scribbles on the top which read: CQ-JH8160Z and 39100-S0X-A500 so, after reading EVErY result Google could cough up, I've found the following: 1. Matsushitzu or whoever manuf's these 2. it's not exactly an overly abundant OEM part or used part 3. You have to crap gold bricks to buy a new replacement. 4. Honda has a refurb program 5. EVERYTHING says take it to the dealer 6. Calling dealerships is st00pid - they all say it's a friggin' fatty CD or sticky label that came off inside. (it's not, trust me, I've had it laying ALL over my kitchen table, there are ZERO CDs in this thing) the problem is these two metal tabs stickin up so that I can not manage to get a CD even 1/5 of the way into the slot load! GRRRRRRRRRR! Anyone experienced this sorta insanity? I can hit CD and it will flash DISC @ me. OR I can hit eject and hear a GRINDING noise. I can tell it's only one of two gear sets, as there are only TWO gear sets in the whole drive...but i've got NO idea how or WHY those tabs got there...or HOW to remove them! HELP!