Unexpected item in the footwell area

[Howardd]

Whilst driving my 2017 280 hatch for the first time since lockdown earlier today, I felt a slight tap on the top of my right foot. 
The item below (marked with VAG part no. 5Q2721431) had fallen onto my foot and I subsequently recovered it from the  driver’s footwell. Googling, it transpires that this part is a “Securing Ring”. Hmm, doesn’t really help me. I’ve been on my hands and knees looking around the pedals but I can’t see where it’s come from. 
Is anyone out there in Briskoda-land au fait with this part? How important is it? Can I put it in the glove box and then forget about it?

[silver1011]

You're not the first, and won't be the last...

 

 

 

 

 

Edited 17 May, 2020 by silver1011

[Howardd]

Thanks for this Silver1011; my bad (as the youngsters say) for not searching before posting. I did consider searching (honest) but wasn’t sure what to search for (white plastic thingy fell off?).

I’ve read all the posts you kindly list above and am relieved to find that it’s apparently nothing serious. But no one seems to know what this part actually does. It’s apparently a loose fit and pretty much free to fall out. This begs the question as to why it’s threaded with what look like spanner flats on it. Or maybe it’s not actually threaded (I haven’t got the part to hand to check at the mo.) just ribbed (ooh er) to, presumably unsuccessfully, improve the friction fit. 
I’m half minded to phone the dealer and ask. I note that a poster above did just that and was told not to worry about it and to throw the part away. Hmm. 

On a completely different note, driving my 280 today for the first time since March I was struck by:

a) How quick it is. It sets off from a standstill like a scalded cat (if you want it to) without even a hint of wheel spin.
b) On an undulating country road at speed you almost feel sea sick. It’s a right barge! The suspension (no DCC on mine although it is the Sportline version with a slightly lower ride height I believe) is so soft with seemingly bags of travel. It doesn’t seem to roll much in corners though so it’s not all bad. Plus my wife thinks it’s delightfully comfortable when it’s being driven sedately. 

 

[boydeee]

I'll try and have a look up in my footwell tomorrow and see if I can see where it might live 👍

[unclerichy]

That's the frobnicator for the splange coagulator! You mustn't drive the car until it's reaffixed to the splined obstinator housing.

I failed to heed the above warning and I'll never play the cello again...

[Howardd]

Thanks  boydee for offering to see if you can see where this part lives, appreciated. 
Unclerichly, I nearly did myself an injury trying to see above and behind the pedals. One really needs a small boy for such tasks but, alas, I only have a pair of 6 year old daughters. If I put them in the footwell they’d firstly have a fight and then rip out all the wiring that lives up there. And then say it wasn’t them. Probably. 

[Bap33]

Found! Look at the screenshot below, part #22. It's a securing ring above the brake pedal. 

Fortunately, the P/N is easy to read on your picture. 

 

Edited 17 May, 2020 by Bap33

[Howardd]

Thanks Bap33. I actually found the diagram you show but not the associated description table. 
I couldn’t see above the brake lever pivot point in my car to the indicated location. 
I’m still not clear what function this securing ring performs. The bolt screws into the the ‘panel nut threaded insert’ so what is the ‘securing ring’ securing? It’s seemingly not even managing to secure itself never mind anything else in quite a few instances. 
I’m confused. 

[boydeee]

So I tried to have a look to locate the lock ring today. Unfortunately the footwell vents obscured my view, sorry. 

The diagram from @Bap33 is excellent though! 

[Howardd]

Thanks for trying boydeee.