It's a genuine Nikon manual zoom lens that I bought used recently, and still under a refund period. So that's what I'll end up doing. I've seen used replacements starting at under $100. Note that it's not a DSLR lens, but originally for SLR, so also manual focus. But takes beautiful photos, at least at 300MM. :B
I'm tempted to take it apart. But with my luck, some spring mechanism will end up flying out across the room that will never be found. I no longer have any cats in the house, so can't rely on them as my flying parts tracking radar. :B