Define Distorted?
Noisy as in buzz, hum, drone, static, and similar?
A grating non-specific distortion implying that something is being over-driven?
Give is the exact Brand and Model of the unit in question?
Though I can't say, I would guess an electronic problem rather than mechanical problem. That is the drive transport mechanism and laser are probably OK, though again, I can't hear what is happening. So, likely a problem in one of the amplifier stages or coupling stages.
Steve/bluewizard