After a 2 hour break this afternoon I just couldn't concede defeat and not jump back in. I was so close but just could not understand why the primary PCB was stuck so tenaciously to the underside of the top cover... I mean stuck like glue! Well in reality that's a pretty close analogy. Its loaded up on the backside of the top case cover with a butt-ton of double-sided sticky foam tape. The same mystery 'gunk' found previously under the catch pan (EMI shield) that covers the digital amp board on underside of bottom cover and leeches an oily residue. Stuff is stupid-sticky and totally unnecessary. When this goes back together I'll use a similar product but with adhesive only on one side so future R&R's won't require Herculean strength and the damping quality its used for remains intact. Just loosen all fasteners, lift out and set aside. S'how it should be!
BTW, my biggest fear of the GUI cover glass being epoxied or welded in never materialized. Once its 4 screws were removed it fell out in my hand. I had been so worried about that that I dreamed about it last night. It came right out in the dream too. But in the dream after I got EVERYTHING back together and powered it up the very first time GUI was rotated about 1.5 degree counter-clockwise Grrrrrrrr!! Now that I can see how everything works and goes back together in there that can't happen, WHEW!
There will be 3 more pics tonight following this one then I'm throwing in the towel for today.
Statements in my posts are opinion only, not to be construed as fact. Any projects I engage in are at my own risk! Their outcome cannot be assured and may result in success, small/no change or catastrophic failure. I encourage no one rely on anything I say or do as gospel and to realize your mileage may vary!