I may have pushed the pinion gear down too far, as it was a little high. It doesn't feel like it's making too much friction. Have a hard time moving it back up. Any thoughts?

There is a tool called a pinion puller that would do the trick.
Maybe a pair of ball link pliers would work as well.

[:@] I did that too when I first got mine.

I used a small screwdriver to wedge it back up slightly.

Which one is the pinion gear?

R/B

The small brass gear on the motor.

I've seen it. Didn't know you could move it. I did find out one thing though. My "right" motor is raising hell. Squeeks pretty bad. I said to my self, "self, it needs some oil to stave off replacement". So's I get a toothpick and some 3 in 2 and put a drop on that same pinion gear and VOILA! I rekon its time for 180's.

Rikybob