there is silica packet inside, might open it up and make sure it didnt get bound up against the lens
It was a combo of the silica packet rubbing and the lens binding up against the black foam seal ring that sits between the lens and the outer glass of the front cover.
When I took it apart with the cover separated it zoomed almost silently.
I reassembled and it without the silica packet and made the squeaky sound but not the grindy sound. Just have to figure out how to properly position that foam ring and I'm back in business.
Thanks @nayr , YOU DA MAN!!
p.s. Curious has anyone ever had to return a cam to China for repair\replacement? How do they handle that and what is the shipping from the U.S. roughly?
Glad I did not have to mess with that. This is where not having a warranty would be an issue....I assume any problems and a resolution would be a combo of Andy's discretion and your wallet.