What is this inline item on old Avid disc brakes?

I was searching for some part size info on my old (‘11) Redline Conquest Pro and came across someone’s identical bike posted to Bicycle Bluebook.

My bike is exactly the same, save for slightly different Avids (BBDB) and these things mounted to the frame’s brake mount on front and rear.

Are they some sort of pull ratio changer? My brakes are pretty not-great and am wondering if I’m missing out on a way to squeeze some more power out of them.