Pioneer CLD-D704 LaserDisc player with remote - has issues but mainly works

Description

Used top-of-the-line Pioneer CLD-D704 Laser Disc player
with problems
.  With some finessing, this will play LDs on side A, but will not play side B (without ejecting and turning the LD over manually).  The biggest problem is that there is something wrong (likely a broken or missing part) with the rotating mechanism that is supposed to move the carriage from side A to side B.  The carriage will successfully make the turn, but then the rotating mechanism becomes disengaged, causing the carriage to derail.  It then makes nasty clicking sounds and you have to open the case to manually move the carriage back into correct position on side A.  If you never attempt to play side B, this does not happen and it will play fine
most of the time
.  I say "most of the time" because occasionally, when you turn the unit on without a disc loaded, it makes no sounds and the tray will not open.  When this happens, if you open the case and move the carriage manually (with your finger) a short distance forward or backward, it will resume working correctly after a power cycle.  Aside from these issues, this seems to work & play LaserDiscs just fine.  I bought it to record onto DVD a LaserDisc set that isn't available on DVD.  I had no trouble at all successfully playing (and copying) both sides of three different LDs with this player (sending the output to a standalone DVD recorder).  I make no promises that the problems with this player are fixable, but the player does seem to be usable as long as you are willing to only play side A of discs and you are willing to open the case & finagle things occasionally.  Please note that, unless you fix the underlying problem(s), you should only ever play a LaserDisc by using the "A" button on the player or the "A" button on the remote.  If you just hit play, I believe it will automatically try to switch to side B at the end of side A and you will have to deal with the above-described carriage derailment, which could permanently damage something critical.