Help with tiptronic shifter knob

[johnvan8]

Hello,
I was looking to remove the shifter knob from a tiptronic (2001 996). The top plastic piece popped off and a little spring fell out. Inside one end of the spring was a little black plastic piece as if it broke off of somewhere. I couldn't figure out where the spring is supposed to go, but when I snapped the plastic knob back, it was working fine! So my question is: what is the spring supposed to do if I can't feel any difference? Thanks!