5th Gear Synchro Lock Tabs? Important?

[WestonP22]

Can anyone tell me the actual function of the three "lock" tabs on the synchros in the 944 transmission? I'm talking about parts 'd' in this diagram...




You can see these tabs installed here...



I recently did 5th gear swaps on four 944 transmissions, and on one of them, I got distracted and forgot to line up the notches in the sliding sleeve with those lock tabs, so they don't click into place when sliding the sleeve over them. I didn't realize it until I went to do another one, after I had put that first transmission back in the car. It shifts fine and doesn't have a noticeable problem though, but I haven't taken it to the track yet. I also found the same thing on one of the other transmissions I took apart (which had been previously serviced by someone other than Porsche), and it had no known performance issues either.

Is this just German over-engineering, or does it serve a purpose that I would care about?

Thanks