A lifting sling assembly comprises a centering collar element forming a concentric sleeve around a central concavity, a centering housing element, a wire rope, and a lifting support. The centering housing element is defined by a concentric flange member forming a concentric sleeve around the centering housing element. The wire rope is inserted into the central concavity, and the centering collar element is swaged onto the wire rope. The centering collar element, the centering housing element, and the concentric flange member are integrated into a contiguous non-welded assembly such that the wire rope remains rigid within the centering collar member. The lifting support is a mechanical support lifting apparatus.