This picture shows the contacts on the original fuel pump out of my wife's 2001 S10. She had a problem with intermittent or sometimes non-existing fuel gauge reading.
The problem I see is that the contacts would separate from the rheostat contacts due to slop in the hinge point and fuel sloshing the float around.
The replacement pump had a different style of contact. I wish I had taken a picture before I put it in but this drawing may help.
The shoe style could be built to exert more pressure on the contacts below and still ride smoothly across them.
Two years now and still no problems with the fuel gauge on the new pump.
I think you have mistaken a worn out contact for a design change.
I see no change in design. The first illustration is the contacts worn off.
Check out this thread for the same discussion: Fuel gauge
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