This was the big lesson for me also. I finally got clearance to take it apart some years later to understand why it was so loud, so weak, so slow and what opportunities there were to connect it to the TI-99/4a.
It was a disappointing setup and I don't think I put it back together.
I did the same thing. My mom was pissed I took it apart.
I was disappointed with how it worked as well. The motor was reused in a different project later, there was no hope in me putting this one back together.
It was a disappointing setup and I don't think I put it back together.