GE potscrubber 650 model gsd650x 68wb

Dishwasher ia about 8 years old. recently started to make a lot of noise like a piece of metal is loose in the motor. Still washes and drains ok. I looked at the motor and pump. there seems to be a ring of some sort between the motor and pump that is loose and just spins around making this banging noise.

any ideas on what to replace or can i just try cutting this ring out all together...

thank

 

Is this ring a round round ring, like a large o-ring?: A retainer ring. Or is it a big flat-faced ring, like a big round flat disc? And do either of these descriptions have it to where it also is split open?

If it were the first description, in particular, I'd think perhaps it is one of those rings that goes in a groove to hold something in position; the way that very type of ring is used in the mounting of garbage disposers. It is a giant snap ring of sorts that has a split in it that allows you to spread it open (that gap then opens larger) over something round, and then once it is slid over the groove, it snaps in place and stays there.