Dropped SB-800. Turns on and fires, but zoom sounds rough/fails

This sounds like a problem for Nikon please call them they may can help

Go to menu on camera, then flash/bracketing, then set TTL (through the lens)
then set flash the same

with any flash unit check that you hear a whineing sound as the unit preps to fire.
if you do not hear this then the battery may be low and need replacing.

i hope this helps

perhaps it's sensing that the diffuser is out. because if the diffuser is out, the flash will not zoom (at least it was like this with the SB-80DX)

Sure. Nikon makes a line of what they call Speedlights. The SB-400, SB-600, SB-800, and SB-900 will give you full capabilities. Older models will give you somewhat less capabilities.

Third-party vendors also make flash units compatible with the D60.

External flash units tend to be more powerful than built-in flashes, which makes sense considering their size and additional batteries. They also move the light source further from the lens axis, reducing red-eye, improving shadows, etc. They also may allow bounce flash, which further softens the light.

will effect,in some /perticular exposures,better to fix the problem.

There's nothing you can do and DIY fixing options can be dangerous due to the very high residual voltages inside.

You've either broken the zoom motor gears or they have been displaced; either way the flash needs to be professionally repaired and preferably by an authorised Nikon service centre.

Despite the lack of a fix I hope my answer has been of some assistance. If so, please rate my answer.

Take flash out from hotshoe.
Can you set flash zoom manually?
When using Nikon Nikkor zoom & zooming, does flash zoom or hear motor sounds from head?

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sb-600/800 make a distinct motor-spinning noise when zooming, this is normal. Any grinding/clicking noises are not normal.

I haven't heard of this problem but compliments of velocityreviews I came up with this. Follow the instructions below to attach an external Speedlight. Refer to your Speedlight manual for detailed instructions regarding Speedlight operation. 1 Make sure that both the camera and the external Speedlight are turned off. 2 Attach the Speedlight to the camera accessory shoe. 3 Turn both the camera and the Speedlight on. 4 Set the external Speedlight zoom head to an angle wider than 28 mm. If you are using a Speedlight with Auto Power Zoom, set the zoom head angle manually. The COOLPIX5700 does not support power zoom. 5 Set the external Speedlight flash mode to TTL. At this setting, the amount of light produced by the external Speedlight is measured by the camera?s photocell, and the flash shooting range adjusted automatically to ensure optimal exposure. D-TTL flash control (available with the SB-80DX, SB-50DX and SB-28DX) is not supported. 6 Take the picture If the Speedlight Options: Speedlight Control option in the SET-UP menu is set to Auto, only the external Speedlight will fire. If this option is set to Int & Ext Active then the external Speedlight and the builtin Speedlight will fire at the same time. The COOLPIX5700 does not support AF-assist illumination, or red-eye reduction using the red-eye reduction lamp on the external Speedlight. At a setting of STBY (standby), the Speedlight will turn on automatically whenever the camera turns on but will not turn off automatically when the camera turns off. Exact functionality varies with the Speedlight in use. Refer to your Speedlight manual for details. I hope it's of some help BMW