Steel PTO shaft shields

I have a PTO shaft that the two shield halves were "held" on the two ends of the power shaft by a strip of plastic. At the ends of the two shield halves are two rectangular slots 180 degrees from each other. A plastic strip is worked into the rectangular slot which matches up with a groove in the actual power shaft. The plastic strips slide in until the end falls into the slot in the metal. A plastic tab then extends up through the metal slot locking the plastic strip into place. Most of you have probably seen this type of method of locking the shields in place. I did replace 1/2 of the shield - the male end. The plastic strips worked fine on the shield I reused, but on the shield I replaced the strip wouldn't go in without shaving (grinding) the plastic strip about 1/2 down (thickness). Then it went in and worked fine. Even though the shields slide together fine and fit onto the power shaft itself fine I noticed the shield I replaced had less clearance for the plastic strip to slide into. The old shield had a slight buldge near the end compared to my replacement which is straight through the same diameter. My question is "did they make two thicknesses of plastic strips for holding steel power shaft shields inplace to accommodate these two styles?" Thank you.

That nylon strip is called a 'bearing', and yes, there are a few different sizes. I try to save old ones, and buy a few each year so I have some. They like a little oil or grease occasionally.