for that price it is a disposable camera, most of the internal gears are sintered plastics, and although it is nice the out a weak point in the camera so it will not be completely destoryed if something does goe wrong, it is a pain in the ass to take apart and reassemble. Usually you will end up paying closer to $100 if not more to actually get some one to take apart and put back together. Than you can not be sure if cannon actually sells the replacement gear, or you could find one to match.