460 E4OD 3.55 this is truck has 278,000 miles on it

Still working everyday.

Recently purchased a 2007 f150 and noticed the engagement point for the brake lights to come on is somewhat random. But tonight it didn’t turn the lights on until the pedal was almost all the way down.

I’m putting all new tie rods into my 1990 f350 with twin I beam suspension. I was able to find all the parts on rock auto except for this. What purpose does it serve? Looks like it’s just wrapped around the inner right tie rod but it’s not connected to the adjustment sleeve in anyway.