Technical What is this ?anyone ever seen this before.

I have a friend that acquired a 58 Chevy truck. It has been converted to 5x4/ 3/4 pattern. I suspect the normal method. 64 and down hub and brake drum on the stock spindle. here is the weird part.
The passenger side /spindle has this steel bracket and cylinder bolted to the back. And it looks factory. What is it and what does it do.
Also remember that I’ve had a dozen or more 55-59 Chevy trucks. 1/2- 3/4 - and 1 ton but I’ve never seen this before.

 

Google images says that doesn't exist. Cocktail shaker? I'll be interested to hear what the brain trust says.

 

Looks like a mass damper. 2CVs we’re the most common production car with them.

 

i recall seeing that on a GMC, that might have had original power steering...but it's been ten years, and my memory ain't so good any more.

Is there anything inside the tube?

 

Thats what I meant by cocktail shaker, 1st gen Camaro convertibles had one in all four corners but not on the wheels.

 

It's a road shock damper. I believe it came stock on GMC suburbans of that vintage. From the GMC manual:
https://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/gmc/5559mm/5559mm519.html

Edit: I guess if I had read the manual page I posted I would have seen that yes it was standard on GMC Suburbans and an option on pickups.

 

Corvair convertibles had the cocktail shakers also.

 

Cocktail shakers were used on a few gm products back in the 60's ragtops.

First one I remember seeing was on a 67'firebird....

...

 

Good place to hide a gallon of shine.

 

That was my first thought also. My 68 Firebird conv has 2 in the trunk.

 

I was going guess that it was a place to hide a Beer when the Wife came into the shop !

VR&C.

 

Wow. Live and learn. Never seen one in my life.
I am interested in the axle assembly for obvious reasons. Thanks Guys.

 

That’s a first for me too. Interesting.

 

never heard of such a thing..

 

Condom holder/storage?

 

Super weird, I learned something today. Odd that this truck only has one, the book says they were supposed to be on each wheel. Not sure why someone would convert this truck to 5 lug and remove one of those but leave the other one in place, that's baffling.

 

I think the left side broke off, I think I seem remnants under/between steering arm and spindle.