Abstract: A combination brush retainer/spring assembly for use in a DC motor includes a retaining ring and a conical spring connected together as a single unit. The retaining ring portion is designed to fit in a center hole of a brush holder to retain a plurality of spring-loaded brushes against their spring bias so that an armature shaft and commutator can pass through the center hole without obstruction. When the commutator passes through the center hole, it pushes the retaining ring free, allowing the brushes to spring back toward the center hole to contact the commutator. The spring portion of the assembly has an end that engages with a ball bearing on the armature shaft with enough force to ensure that the armature shaft and ball bearing rotate at the same angular velocity and without slippage.