RX Motor Replacement - Support telling me I have first return the broken one

I am one of many whose RX motor has slowly died due to parts breaking off inside (I believe I have a gen1). After waiting many many months and back and forth with support, they finally have replacements in stock. So I place the order (that I paid for), then find out that they will not ship the replacement until I send in the broken motor/wheel assembly and I have 10 days to do so. This is an out of warranty purchase by the way.
When I asked why I need to return it, support tells me there is a part(s) they have to remove off my current wheel assembly that requires a special tool to remove and put on the replacement.

Has anyone else dealt with this? is this a valid request from support?

UPDATE: See my recent post - ended up doing the work at home and have my RX back on the road! Super Happy

https://preview.redd.it/mac7a3gfmc1e1.jpg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b65fdf89dc04f27abaf97d9b92a8080cceb3cd99

https://preview.redd.it/0g64iagfmc1e1.jpg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6373871b357b85e53b33f953f7694fea131b9f31

https://preview.redd.it/g58953gfmc1e1.jpg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d6538e8e876e782bdf9457a2705c6210b04bb888