Upper steering column bearing rubber bushing question?

[b5blue]

 On the topmost steering column bearing (On my floor shift 70 Charger.) sits a black rubber sleeve or thin bushing. It surrounds the actual bearing and nests into the housing held in place by a flat plate with 3 screws. I found a very nice "used" one on eBay and in his ad it was stated it has the correct "factory staple in very good condition".
I bought it and sure enough there is a staple in it. The "bushing" is in remarkable condition, still soft and pliable like new but is the staple needed for some reason?
I thought the rubber bushing insulated (electrically) the steering shaft from the column housing possibly (For the horn.) but the staple would defeat that?     I had searched high and low for one of these when rebuilding my column as mine is kinda dry and hard. I even decided it was better to just lube the old bearing and leave the bushing in place rather than risk destroying it removing and installing it on the new bearing I bought.   

[tan top]

 its a factory staple  , there is a reason its there , but  i forget why now !!! although ( seem to remember  it might be  to stop the rubber possible coming out when turning the wheel , or the rubber actually turning )) but cant remember for sure , so don't quote me on it     , when i rebuilt my column , i just   put it back &  repacked the top bearing with grease ,put the rubber cover/bush/thingy back on as there was nothing wrong with it , &  just replaced the bottom bearing  ,  

[b5blue]

Thanks Tan Top, if it's something you noticed also and just left as it is that's good enough for me. (I don't remember seeing one when I had my column apart two years ago.) (Or 18 months ago when I had to replace the new ignition switch I installed 2 years ago.) (Or 9 months ago when I replaced the ignition key assembly and door locks after getting sick of having 2 keys that look the same on my key ring but only work the door or the ignition.)