It is exactly the same on my 97 a4 1.8t. How perplexing.

 

Its like a mesh gasket, , either use a credit card or pull out the whole assembly, give it a cleaning whilst it is out and just take your time and put it back in............

 

It gets all squished, so it won't do it's job. Plus, it tends to eventually come back out when you just push it in. It's best to take a couple of minutes and pull the vent out. If the felt is all wrinkled, torn, or stretched, the material can be substituted with black cloth hockey tape. If it's still in tact, you can glue it back down to the vent and reinstall it.

 

I'm going to have to agree with this. If you are going to do it, do it correctly.

 

Unfortunately I had no choice in the matter, my mechanic pulled it out when I sent my car to do the timing belt, it felt really nasty, like a dirty sticky sock, lol. No rattling no nothing, what exactly was this thing for? Its like a rectangular strip.

 

It's actually made of Hans's old socks. It is designed to prevent squeaking and chaffing.

 

Yeah i had the same thing when i bought my car. Like jeff said its just a gasket but i wouldnt remove it i would just tuck it back in the dash that way your vents wont be loose like mine were. Ether take the vent out and align the material or just use something small to tuck it in. good luck