Anyway, what I really did was this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAIXiCDuEWI&ab_channel=HouseImprovements
But of course, it sure wasn't as easy for me as it was for the young and fit guy in the video...My unit not built at all like the one demonstrated. Had to remove the side coverings in order to remove the top piece & fan. Had to jury rig a resting place for said top piece. had to deal with rusty screws (Good old PB blaster). Had to kneel and lay on gravel to remove said screws...searching for a dropped screw. Thankful that all screws the same size, used a 1/4" nut driver. Actually, the shop vac, spray & rinse part went pretty easy...the reassembly not so much so, with holes not wanting to line up. With the aid of a straight pick, I got her done...only this time I had to lay and kneel on wet & muddy ground to install said screws. This while clearance hampered because of shrubs planted nearby. About 3 1/2 hours after I started, finally everything back together.
The bonus? When I plugged the power back in, the unit started working a TON quieter than it ever has. I didn't lubricate anything, the fan has a sealed bearing. Don't know why it's so much quieter, but it is. Only thing I can think of is maybe I (pure luck) lined the pieces up better than they were before.