The plastic ones are not much thicker than paper, shaped like a tube with a shoulder on one end.
		
		
	 
I have had mine apart, too, and decided not to replace the shaft or 
plastic bushings, esp as mine was a little loose, not tight.  Owners 
neglect the shaft zerk, which is not good.
There are many parts of the HST pedal/swash plate control that can
get gummed up or corroded to interfere with smooth operation.  I have
spent hours refurbishing mine.  If anything, it snaps back to neutral
a little too quickly for my taste, even though the shock absorber is working.
BTW, the brake pivot shaft that supports all 3 brake pedals uses these
thin plastic bushings, too.  A real pain to assemble.....keep them greased!