So that people know my view of this subject:
Background
The perfect solution is use the manufacturer's 'Bearing Replacement' section in the service manual. But such a section does not exist, because these drives (designed for personal computers) were not intended to be mechanically serviced in their expected lifetime.
The next best thing might be to dismantle the drive in a 'clean room', then replacing the bearing assembly, or relubricating the bearing assembly (if possible). But, what is the part number of a replacement bearing assembly? It won't be in the service manual. If you do get the part number, are they still available (and at what cost)? If relubricating, what is the spec of the lubrication to be used? It won't be in the service manual. Using the wrong lubrication can result in overheated bearings, thus stressing them. Is it important to remove all old lubrication first? Where does one find a 'clean room'?
Okay. So I managed to find answers to all of the above for my particular make/model of drive. So what's the procedure to disassemble the drive?
Let's face it. The
majority of forum readers will look at all of the above and then say, "too hard".
So what is desired is a relatively simple workaround that is within the ability of most forum readers, and because of the risks, only applied at the point where a drive has become unusable or is about to become unusable. Because of that, the workaround does not have to be perfect, or meet manufacturer's requirements.
WD-40
This solution works for me, and no doubt will for others.
I acknowledge that there may be better solutions that fall in the category of my above, "a relatively simple workaround". There are suggestions, but no responses of, "I tried that and it worked."
Other workarounds
We are dependent on people experimenting and then posting results.
Maybe the 'white lithium grease, in aerosol form' method will work. Maybe light machine oil works, but it has to sit in place for a week, instead of hours. Maybe both will work if the drive is warmed in an oven to facilitate penetration.
I'm happy with WD-40 and so I don't intend to do any further experimentation in this area.
DUTY OF DISCLOSURE: Conflict of interest. The WD-40 company is my employer.
DISCLAIMER: Claims that I put WD-40 on my breakfast cereal are not entirely true.