Grease slinger

A power tool comprising:

• a housing;
• a motor supported in the housing and including a rotatable shaft extending along an axis;
• a gear case connected to the housing;
• a flange between the housing and the gear case, the flange having a first side and a second side and defining an opening extending between the first side and the second side and communicating between the housing and the gear case, the motor shaft extending through the opening;
• a drive mechanism supported by the gear case and drivingly engaging the motor shaft;
• and
• a grease slinger including a body supportable on the shaft for rotation with the shaft relative to the flange, the body having a first face providing a grease-slinging surface and a second face facing the first side of the flange, the second face including an annular side wall defining an annular channel, the side wall and the channel cooperating with the flange to provide a labyrinth seal and to prevent grease from flowing from the gear case into the housing.

A method of assembling a power tool, the method comprising the acts of:

• providing the power tool including a housing, a motor supported in the housing and including a rotatable shaft, a gear case, a drive mechanism supported in the gear case and mating with the shaft, a flange between the housing and the gear case having a first side facing the gear case and a second side facing the housing and defining an opening extending between the first side and the second side, the shaft extending through the opening from the housing into the gear case;
• providing a grease slinger having a first face providing a grease-slinging surface and a second face including an annular side wall defining an annular channel;
• supporting the grease slinger on the shaft for rotation with the shaft relative to the flange;
• positioning the grease slinger adjacent to the opening so that the second face is adjacent to the flange;
• and
• engaging the second face and the flange to form a labyrinth seal and to prevent flow of grease from the gear case to the housing.