GE Dishwasher check ball noise

I have a GE Dishwasher, Model # 165D8552P001 that runs ok but has a noise coming from the collection chamber under the unit. I dissasembled the collection chamber and found a plastic ball about 1/2" dia.. Looking at the 'service imformation' sheet that was attached to the washer, I see that this 'ball' as they call it is supposed to be there, and seems to be in it's correct place. It makes excessive noise though, much louder than our 15 year old dishwasher! (This one by the way is only 1.5 years old--we bought it used from a neighbor.) Anyone out there familiar with this particular problem? Any ideas would also be helpful!

 

Only thought it would be fair that I updated this post. I dug some more through the dishwasher and took the bottom drain strainer off (on the inside of the dishwasher). Once that was off and I had my body jammed inside the dishwasher, with a good flashlight I could see my problem: Corn dog stick hitting the 'food chopper' as I called. it. Removed the perpetrator and ran the washer with no noise. Problem fixed!