Slinger Ring
Fred's question about the "slinger ring" piqued my curiosity, so I did a little research using Google. First, I found that they are used on propeller shafts in order to "sling" antifreeze onto the shaft. I also found that they are used in electric motors and generators to sling oil onto the bearings. I guess that would include the armature shaft. Looking at Rainbow schematics that I've found online, the part dates all the way back to the Model D. It wouldn't surprise me if it was utilized on earlier models too. So my guess is that back in the day when open bearings were used, it acted as a bearing seal and would also provide additional lubrication to the bearings somehow. Again, it's just a pure guess. However, with the use of double sealed bearings, it may be a redundant item. Or it may just serve ONE purpose today and that is to help hold the lower bearing in place. It makes me think of the finger spring in a Kirby motor. Early on, it was needed to hold the bearing seal in place when Kirby was using open face bearings. But with the move to sealed bearings, I wonder if it is even needed. I don't know if it's found on the G series motors, but it was being used all the up through the Tradition. I wish I knew someone with a Rainbow service manual. That would explain it for sure, because my guesses are probably way off mark!
