hmmmmmmmm, I wonder if that is my issue (I somehow doubt it) and I just put everything away, but I will try it one more time with the plastic gear again
aaannnd, f-uck now it works again.
the mirror housing and gearing is grounded to the frame so i guess since it reverse's polarity on the motor with the metal gear inside it grounds out, either that or the plastic gear just moves easier, I did apply finger pressure to the motor outside of the housing and it had more power one direction than the other, when you apply pressure to the motor it automatically stops assuming it has reached the end of the gear.