headlamp gremlins

[ClockworkC5]

my drivers side headlamp started making the dreaded (and embarrassing) grinding noise when opening and closing. order new plastic gear and rubber piece. replaced everything, greased her up real good and reassembled. worked great for 5 or 6 times then the grinding came back. now ive heard that its the headlamp control module, or the motor itself. i know that the gear will be destroyed when i open the unit back up but what do you all think. module or motor. and to avoid everyone telling me to use the brass gear. i didnt want to. the plastic gear is the weak point. if i put in the brass gear and the motor keeps going like it has been, its going to burn up the motor. makes sense to me at least. what do you all think