I recently acquired a Pioneer CLD-D704 via eBay based on its reputation here. Video output when it works is beautiful, however I have two problems I'd like to resolve.

1. Disc load: The player will consistently not accept a LD. The player will take in a disc, then I hear a motor spinning noise, followed by the disc tray ejecting rather than starting play. If I fiddle with the machine and switch to side B it will sometimes start playback, then allow me to switch back to A and play the disc. This is an exercise in timing and button sequence I haven't quite figured out yet. I'm wondering if this could be the belt issue I've read about.

2. After the disc has spun up, and upon changing sides either A to B, or B to A, and also sometimes randomly during playback the machine will shriek like a car's power steering belt.

Are both of these issues the loading belt and grip ring concerns I see discussed here?
[CLD-D704] Support?

Any guidance is appreciated.

Thanks,
Scott
San Diego

Players:
Panasonic LX-1000U (bought in 1992 as display demo from Good Guys of Sacramento)
Pioneer CLD-D704 (eBay purchase Nov 2020)

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While I love my old Panasonic, it's getting finicky in its old age. It no longer recognizes CDs, and refuses to play some LDs which may have varying degrees of disc rot (The Fugitive, AnimeIgo's release of Madox-01/Riding Bean etc.). But, I plan on keeping it and seeing if I can restore it to full function.