Looking for advice on Color Wheel replacement

[LRsd]

I have a HLN507W DLP purchased in Apr 2003. One bulb replacement in Oct 2006. Started hearing a high pitch whining noise over a year ago but no visible change in color/operation. SS tech support says probably color wheel. Local repair agreed and told me no harm waiting until it died. A yr+ later its still whining but no change in color/operation.
1. Could my whining noise be something other than the Color Wheel ?
2. If it the color wheel, are there any risks to other part if it fails completely?
3. Is the color wheel replacement just a physical replacement or is there color alignment, manual or software, needed?
4. Is there information/instructions available online for replacing the color wheel?
- I purchased a SS service manual but that is of limited value for the replacement

Thanks
LR

[Angel]

[LRsd]

Is there more than one fan?
When I power down the whining noise stops, while the lamp fan continues to run until cool down completes.

[Angel]