WTF is that?

[Guido]

I had the right side of the car jacked up and the rear wheel off today reattatching a ground effect and I figured I'd check the driver's side, too. After I got the rear wheel off the other side and made sure that piece was secure, I noticed something that makes me a tad worried.
Attatched to the L/R control arm (I think that's what it is) is a small mechanism with a spring and four steel tubes coming out. One of the tubes went to the calliper, so I assume they're brake lines; the other three went back towards the front of the car. The spring/piston part is VERY loose. I could freely wiggle it around and it seemed to not even be attached.
What the **** is this thing? The fact that it has brake lines coming out and it doesn't appear to be working makes me more than a little worried. I looked over to the right side of the car, and there isn't anything like this mechanism on that side. Please help!

-***** (Likes to be able to stop his car...)

 

[munkee]

Those are your emergency brake cables. I am not too sure about how loose they are supposed to be though. Hope that helps some.

 

[hooterville]

that is a device that regulates how much brake fluid gets to the rear brakes depending on the load of the trunk (rear) of the car. There should be play with the spring. Don't worry about it.

 

[sdpatt]

hooterville's got it right.

 

[hooterville]

actually, sdpatt's got it right because he is the one i learned it from

 

[Guido]

Well, whoever knew first, thanks guys. thumbs_u

-***** (Will drive soundly tomorrow morning...)