Result!
Looking at one of your pictures of the machine's front, at the lower left where the paper tray slides in there should be a white plastic lever, it looks like yours is out of position, or maybe it's just not visible. This is what it should look like.
A tab on the paper tray pushes this in, telling the machine the paper tray is inserted, so it lifts the paper.
I feel for you Andy, but we are not health professionals and it is hard to deal with that on a forum with only the written word and delays in asking and answering questions. You must have patience and hope for the best when solving your problems, sometimes forums just can't answer a question, especially hardware ones.
jymm,
I was not looking for answers. Just someone to listen.
My higher power gives me wisdom all the time, especially in tough times.
Sometimes, I have to be assertive with doctors to get the treatment I am need and am getting.
If you want, I can PM you like I do some others.
Here are some pics I think will help. I am looking for that white tab.
The purple circled area is real loose.
I do not think I can test anything with the tray out, etc.
What do you recommend?
You say that part is really loose, that because it's broken and in the wrong position.
You need to study this video as it describes your problem.
The machine in the video is an upgraded version of yours with a scanner and LCD display, but the printer is exactly the same.