My Pioneer LD-V4400 has gotten “lockjaw,” that is, it makes noise and won’t open.

The belt seems to move along with it’s gears, I think there’s a jam somewhere else. Since it won’t eject Im hoping to remove the tray the hard way.

Strangely, when I unscrew the front panel, it doesn’t come free. The tabs aren’t hooked. I feel the tray itself is holding it in, but isn’t removing the faceplate the earlier step??

From what I remember, the front panel in front of the tray is attached to it so that is probably the reason the facade won’t come apart. You need to take the cover off and figure out how to eject the tray manually and then you remove the front panel for the tray and then the facade. There should be some gear you can turn but you need to reference the service manual.

Got it out.

If it would help anyone: manually lifting the clamp cleared the way.