What is the purpose of the black strip below where the head use to be?

Photo 3 is a great photo. Well done!

May want to identify the platter motor in photo 3

Add driver tip size. Highlight ribbon cable as it blends in with body.

Highlight screw location in photo 1. Provide driver tip used to remove screws.

What size driver tip is used to remove the screw?

Maybe rotate 1st photo 180 degrees so the orientation matches photo 2. Also in photo 1 highlight the location of the hidden screw.

Excellent. Love the highlights. They help a lot.

What screwdriver tip fits the screws?

Highlight the screw faces please. The screw faces blend in with the collar.