GE Opal Nugget Ice Maker Gen 2 - Squealing

So those of you who have followed this thread for the past 3 years (thank you) know that I opened my Opal Gen 2 up the other day to give it a complete cleaning because it had finally, after 3 years, started squealing like a banshee which is the most dreaded noise for all ice maker owners.
Video here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mXjOoHmBi5lrjsUsi=ByirpxL6IVzOew23
I found no issues and hardly any build up inside the system. When I put it back together it started squealing worse and this is a video of how much worse it sounded.
INVESTIGATION/SOLUTION: I opened the BACK and the TOP and ran it while it was open because I wanted to see if the noise was coming from the fan on the side OR the corkscrew piece in the middle that makes the ice (Ryan Saalman does a great breakdown here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kJaWoWOPo7KknNE). I didn't want to do the full breakdown Ryan did, I just wanted to confirm the DIRECTION and LOCATION of the sound by running it while open so I could see inside.
I plugged the ice machine back in ... filled the reservoir ... and it started making ice normally ... I waited and waited ... and waited ... and no squealing, no sound, no nothing ... it made a whole thing of perfect ice and didn't make one sound ... while the back and top were off.
It STILL hasn't made a PEEP on day 2 ... I lay the top back on (didn't screw it in), I put the back plate back on, just put in two top screws to hold it in place that's it ... nothing else was done. It hasn't made a sound ... AT ALL.
I have no explanation for this ... I don't know what to say other than to just document it here. I did nothing. I didn't clean it extra (there was nothing to clean). That squealing in the video came after a THOROUGH cleaning with vinegar and ice machine cleaner. It almost made the ice maker WORSE.
Doing nothing but OPENING it ... it hasn't made a sound in 2 days.

[@oncearunner32]

Hard water? Try the wash cycle with some descaler (for ice makers). That fixed my issue.

[@ElaineBarlow]

Nope that's not the problem

[@ElaineBarlow]

I actually solved the issue very simply.

[@daviddsims]

What was the solution?

[@unclejesseandtherippers4047]

Can see the scale buildup, that’s the cause

[@ElaineBarlow]

nope. you're wrong. that wasn't the issue at all. thanks for the mansplaining though.

[@she_bop111]

Mine does the same at times. I just disconnect it. Wish I had a better answer

[@ElaineBarlow]

I think I have figured out what causes it. I will post my findings.

[@dallasgeorge7513]

Mine made that sound I put air tool oil in the gearbox and it stop making that noise

[@ElaineBarlow]

Not necessary for me at all

[@wicklighter]

Hate to tell you but it’s on the road to death. Best bet is to contact GE and see if they will replace. You will probably get a refurbished model. Hit or miss how long the replacement last. I’m on my 6th unit - 2 new, 4 replacements. 😢

[@ElaineBarlow]

If you've watched my channel which I assume you haven't for 3 years you'd know that I have never had any problems with my Gen 2. It's hardly on the road to death in fact its working great now that I figured out the problem.