Doesn't sound good Allen. Check the rack and pinion at each end. If you can listen to it clicking, it might identify the culprit.
To remove the motor, unplug the connector. There are shear bolts on each end of the pinion shades. 1/4-20 iirc. Remove those and slide the shafts off the stubs coming out of the motor. Unbolt the motor and remove. You can remove the screws and open the aluminum gearbox. I suspect you've got some stripped gears.
The motor is made by Clabber iirc.