Rockola 433 GP Imperial Transfer motor question

Hi, I pulled the transfer motor on my friends Rockola 433. I took it apart to clean all the old hard grease and carbon out of it. It was plugged solid, and I was very careful to not loose any parts. Now, I have done many of these in the past and there is always a small ball bearing on the "screw" (worm) end to adjust the thrust, via the large plug on the end (flat blade screw driver to adjust).
It seems to be missing, I even went through all of the old grease to see if it had disappeared in it. Not anywhere.
Is there supposed to be a small ball bearing on the of the armature shaft in these units ? I've done some Wurlitzers and Seeburgs and they are always there. Also, the "white" nylon gear that the worm on the armature drives is warped. It is about .020 out of round. This would make the motor bind up, I would think. I have everything cleaned up and ready to go back together, but this missing bearing is leaving me scratching my head.
Any thoughts...
Thanks..
Tony

Tony,
Every one I've had apart has had the steel ball "semi-captured" there--if it has the thrust adjustment, I would guess some "clown" dropped it out ?? Ron Rich

Thanks for the reply Ron. I just pulled and disassembled the basket motor as well. There isn't a bearing in this one either, strange. Both motors look like they have never been apart, and yet there is an indentation on the end of the armature for one. The commutator is badly worn on this one. I'll have to chuck it up in the lathe and make it flat again.

Don't know what to say--perhaps my great, but not to long, memory is failing, worse then I think ??
Ron Rich