Product review (5 stars): Whirlpool Factory Cirtified part
This ia a Whirlpool Corperation  Factory Certified Part.
This should be sold with the seal, Whirlpool Part Number 2198628. The seal a overpriced BUT it will keep liquids from getting to the motor, which is quite expensive.
This shaft is for dispencing whole and crushed ice. In Tennessee, our ice maker gets used more than the average home so the shaft wore out. Concidering how much we use it, the total cost to repair as a DIY fix was very inexpensive for a 7 year old fridge.