First I removed the trash compactor from the cabinet and transported it to the garage to avoid scraping the kitchen floor....I then removed the the sheetmetal cover enclosing the motor by removing several sheetmetal screws. To remove the motor, I then removed the compactor drawer and tilted the compactor onto its front (the side you pull the drawer in and out of). This allow you to get to the bottom of the compactor. I then removed 3 sheet metal screws attaching the bottom cover of the compactor. After removing the bottom cover, I could then access the 4 mounting nuts that hold the motor in place. I disconnected the wiring harness to the motor, removed the motor and replaced it. The motor plate allows you to adjust the chain tensioning and gear lash of the drive motor. I adjusted and tightened the plate to provide close gear lash, and chain tension of about 1/2" play. Re-installed the motor cover and bottom plates, plugged the compactor into a wall socket, re-installed the compactor drawer and tested for several cycles. All is well. FYI - I do not think the motor itself was bad; however, there is a centrifugal switch built into the motor assembly...that is what I believe failed. The motor and centrifugal switch come as a one assembly.
I noticed that one of the holes that the foot pedal was attached to on the drawer assembly, had opened up so that the pivot pin wouldn't stay seated in it. I ordered a complete drawer assembly which included the metal trash container, drawer slides, and foot pedal assembly. The old front of the cabinet is removed by unscrewing about 8 screws. The front then slides up and off of the old assembly. The front panel is then slid over the new drawer assembly and the screws are tightened down.
Removed compactor from opening. Using screw driver unthreaded 4 screws from top and then removed the on/off dial. Face plate came off easy and provided access to relay switch bank. Unscrewed two screws which allowed both relay switches to be removed and replaced. Recommend replacing both relay switches. Reassembled and compactor worked fine. Very easy job. If your compactor is making a machine gun noise during the return cycle then this will solve your problem.
