Front Brake pad replacement

I replaced the front brake pads on my 2000 Intrepid ES this morning. When I disassembled the old pads there were two (spacers?) at each caliper. The spacers were thin metal pieces that were installe at the top & bottom edge of a pad where it joins the caliper.
I could not reassemble the new pads with the spacers installed.
Are the spacers specific to certain pads that are possibly undersized?
What role do those spacers serve.
I have reassembled without the spacers installed and the brakes seem to work perfectly. I saved the spacers.
Any ideas??

The spacers are intended to keep the pads from rattleing. They are quite difficult to reinstall but they do serve a purpose. You will need to push extra hard on the caliper in order for the bolts to line up.

Thanks for the input. I'll try to get those spacers back in there.