Ticking noise in Audio Research Reference CD7

Sled motor.
The rails may just need a little lubrication.
Actually you can open up the unit and move the overgrease already in there back onto the rails for free.
Usually it is a white grease in lumps at the end of the rails. Just spread it around back on the rails with a toothpick. Don't waste it, just use half of it. leave the rest for next time.

Thanks Elizabeth, I'll check this out and report back.

Hi Elizabeth, I've opened the unit but can't see the rails. Do I have to also lift the CD tray to access those?
Is there anywhere where this process is described with pics for my layman self?
Also, I live in a very big city and there's a lot of dust/dirt/smog in the air at all times. How do you clean the guts of those units (CD 7, Ref 5, etc) that have practically no protection from all that dirt?
Thanks.

Did you expose the mechanism completely ? You need to take the player's top lid off first, then the square black metal element that covers the mechanism (it is beeing hold by 4 screws), and then the black plastic part that covers the rails (it is beeing hold by 4 allen bolts AFAIR).