Good advise jazz, thanks.
I'm going to take the drivetrain apart and redo it, this time around I'll grease everything up well and do the different mods for removing gear slop.
I've also got 2 sets of AAAs that should be freshly charged when I get home (though I still think that wasn't my issue...I tried 3 different sets of batts, but I'll know for sure tonight with the freshest fresh sets).
Anyone interested in Hummer Evo in action vids if I get this thing workin?