What is behind my tire?

[jkenny]

Does anyone know what the device is mounted behind each tire on my 1969 Overlander. I dont currently have a picture of it but it looks like a hollow cylinder with a stiff metal wire through the center. I think it may be connected to the electric brakes somehow (it is too damn cold in NY to go poking around on the ground right now). Maybe it is a "sensor" so in the case of a flat tire the brake does not get engaged on that tire.

[jkenny]

Well, Since there was no reply I braved the cold, stuck my camera behind the tire and snapped away. I actually got a good shot of the part I am wondering about.

I plan to rewire the brakes this spring but it is just bothering me that I dont know what the device is.

Has anyone seen anything like this or do you have something similar on your trailer? Without getting a close look at the exact wiring of this device I can only guess it either applies or prevents the application of the brakes due to a flat or loss of wheel.

[overlander63]

Looks like a spring of some kind. I don't know why one would be there, at that angle, unless the other end had rotted off, and was hanging down. I see similar things on cars, they hold the parking brake cable away from the tire so it won't rub. Maybe it was something similar for the wires to the brakes? Ask Andy from Inland, he knows everything about these (or at least I haven't stumped him yet!)
Terry

[87MH]

It COULD be a crude flat tire sensor.

Tire goes flat, rod drags on ground, rod makes contact with pipe, sends signal to driver.

Just a guess.

[garry]

looks as if it has two wires so flat tire sensor sounds correct

[markdoane]

Maybe it's a static eliminator?

[Tripp]

I too think it could be a static eliminator. I remember reading something regarding this sometime in the past on the forum.

Weird.


Tripp