Is the idler pulley supposed to have a sleeve between the bolt and bearing?

What is your question?

My wife drives a 99 sunfire that totaly destroyed the bearings on the stationary idler pully. When I purchased a new pulley and tried to install it I noticed that there is almost a 1/8" gap between the bolt and the bearing. I want to know if this is the way it is supposed to be. A young parts store clerk stated that it is so but I have never seen a situation where this is true. Please let me know as I can't handle her not having a car. Than ks