Hi there, I'm new to the forum and fairly new to Volvos. A week or so ago the cover underneath the dashboard and starring wheel had dropped down and was getting in the way of the pedals. As I was fiddling about with it and trying to get it back in place the piece pictured below (see attached files) dropped out. It came from roughly the brake area. I've now managed to put the cover back in place and everything appears to be ok. I still have this mystery object which surely must have performed some function. Any ideas as to what it is and where it fits would be gratefully received.

I'm driving a 2004 Volvo S40 Sports.

Thanks.