Emerson TV/DVD combo unit - disc tray won't eject

[DeathByBFG]

Hi. I have an Emerson EWC20D3 with a built-in DVD player. The tray won't eject. I removed the back cover to the TV and removed the DVD unit and what I believe is happening is that one of the gears is not properly held in place. If I hold it down and in (to some effect) then the gears line up and the tray will pop in and out. But for the life of me I can't find out how to keep that gear in place. There is a screw on top but screwing and unscrewing doesn't seem to do anything. I didn't find a service manual my model but I did for the D5. I didn't see anything in it that described my problem. I've attached some images of the gear and DVD unit from different angles. I also added an arrow to point out which gear I'm referring to. A lot of videos and repair articles I found online mention a drive belt. But I'm not convinced this set uses a belt. Any help is appreciated.

[ldeveraux]

I just went through this with a VCR/DVD combo unit. I had a broken gear, but even when I replacevd it it would not stay on the shaft. I ended up epoxying the inner diameter to keep it on the shaft. I also dabbed epoxy atop the shaft to prevent it from rising off. I can't tell from your images if this is the same issue, but worth a try. Are you sure there isn't a broken/missing gear floating around inside your TV?

[DeathByBFG]

I just went through this with a VCR/DVD combo unit. I had a broken gear, but even when I replacevd it it would not stay on the shaft. I ended up epoxying the inner diameter to keep it on the shaft. I also dabbed epoxy atop the shaft to prevent it from rising off. I can't tell from your images if this is the same issue, but worth a try. Are you sure there isn't a broken/missing gear floating around inside your TV?

What kind of epoxy did you use? Yeah, there's no broken gears in my TV. But, when I took it apart there was a tiny black cylindrical piece of plastic that was in there. I'm wondering if that is what broke and now the gear is loose. The screw in the gear won't fully come out or fully go in the hole. But, I do see it shift. I'm wondering if that black piece kept it in place. Unfortunately it's not going to be found.