I can't answer your questions about releasing the brake and energizing the drives, but my CR1 assembly has been acting pretty tired, one time when I reset the machine everything sounds fine, the next it has a bad buzzing sound. Like you, I figured burnt connections, so found new replacements on Ebay. Mine has an LC1 D1810 for the larger, lower relay and the piggyback is a LA1 DN13. I found them both from an ebay seller, I think it might have been this one (bought it quite a while back and can't find the info to be sure):
Telemecanique Auxiliary Contact LA1DN13 31792 | eBay
I remember having to call them about the larger relay and he was able to get both, think I paid $60 or so for both of them brand new. I haven't gotten around to installing them, just have them on hand as back up's incase mine does fail. I did check with the local Schneider (who took over for Telemecanique) dealer and prices on the two from them were up over $300, so it was well worth searching ebay.