i had a rattle in one of my pipes , so i take out the baffle . the first 4 " of the baffle (toward the front) had what looks like insulation wrapped around it. is this needed? whats its purpose? it was kinda all ripped up so i didnt rewrap the baffle with it .

 

it softens the sound a little My rush baffles got louder and louder as the packing burned out. If you want to replace it and have it last use stove pipe rope. expensive but it will work and last.
I do not use the packing in my 1.5 or 2.0 baffles

 

Contact Rush and they will send you new packing.
Having it in there makes it a little more mellow. Stopped mine from decel popping after trying a million other "cures".

 

[QUOTE=Mathews2;8449263]it If you want to replace it and have it last use stove pipe rope. expensive but it will work and last./QUOTE]

Can you give me a little more info on using "Stove Pipe Rope"

 

It can be had at wood burning stove area of your local big box store or a fireplace store. It's like fiberglass high temp rope. I have used it for door gasket seal on an airtight stove. Never tried it. How long does it last mathews?
Rush sent me packing for free. May use a set per year from the looks of it so far..