Servicing a Sony ES CD player

This week I have not one, but two Sony CDP-333ESD CD players. Both have almost exactly the same problems - many of the font panel buttons are unresponsive and the tray won't open and close properly. The latter was more than a mere belt problem though because these players use a looped steel wire to assist the movement. It was a much bigger issue than I anticipated, and for one of the players there was an unexpected solution. Outro music: Calvary by TrackTribe