Lionel 700E Armature/Bearing Question??

Hi all,

   Maybe someone here can help, in cleaning out the 700e motor I notice there's nothing between the armature 

and the bearing that it rests on, usually Lionel but's a thrust washer or something.The fiber part where the armature

shaft comes out of just rest on the metal bearing nothing protects it, should I put a thin washer there to protect the

fiber part or leave as is.

Tin