Actually your airbrush does have that bit, pictured between the handle and body. It's the teflon bearing, installed in the metal fixture, (TINY."
If you take the guts completely out of the body, look in the back of the airbrush with a small light. At the end of the larger body chamber, (looking forward,) you'll see the small hole that the needle passes through. A light held at the front of the body will illuminate the hole also.
There is a slot meant for a very small slotted screwdiver, back that out and the fixture comes free, the very small, white teflon bearing is inside that. A good soak in lacquer thinner or acetone will start to dissolve it, then you can use the needle to pass back and forth to clean it up.
To re-install the bearing assembly, start it back into the threads of the airbrush using a toothpick, be positive you don't have it cross threaded, before cinching it down with the scredriver. When you do have it seated, the adjustments are quite sensitive. You only want to feel a minor drag on the needle, as you check for proper fit, small turns of the screwdriver work best.
Have you checked "Don's airbrush tips" site yet????
Keep on truckin,' it sounds like your getting closer. You'll feel a real sense of accomplishment when you get it sorted properly, and you'll for sure know your VL much better.
Patrick