Inoperable cd tray on technics spl110 single disc...

Somehow the "gears" (side of tray has "teeth/gear" and wheel to the right of it has 'teeth/gear") which guided the cd tray were misaligned. With trepidation and fear of fully breaking it I lined up the tray and large wheeled gear to the right of tray.
At first I could get it to close to a certain point but it wouldn't go any further. I couldn't figure out what was stopping the closure but finally figured out the "teeth/gear needed further alignment.
During the repair found date CD player made was 1986 !!!! So I figured I'd just have to buy a new one. But it works like new and still sounds great
Go figure. Technics is a great brand.
What I saw as a white "wing nut looking" part had nothing to do repair. But during repair part of the front of repair dropped down and prevented closure. But there is a metal wire under tray which can be manipulated to control the piece which drops down.
Don't know how many Technics SLP110 are still out there but that's my story.