I figured I would post my experience with a shaking and vibration at 40+mph, along with thuds at lower speeds. I just bought my 2007 Supercrew Lariat 4x4 a month ago, and I have had a vibration since day one. It could be felt in the steering wheel and seat of my pants. I knew it was not normal, so I started with the usual....balanced and rotated tires(OK), checked rear parking brakes for sticking open(OK), and even balanced rear driveshaft and replaced U Joints (OK). I then moved onto flushing tranny and replacing filter to eliminate TC shudder (OK). Then came the rear differential fluid, in which I used Royal Purple(OK). Still shaking.

I dropped it off at the local dealer on Monday, and they had it all day, to only tell me that it was normal...I gave them a blank check and thanfully they never cashed it. Well, knowing this wasn't normal and quite annoying, I kept looking. Last night I was under it and came across the frame dampener located between the frame and bed on the left rear frame rail, behind the axle. As soon as I touched it, I knew that was it - it is a 15 pound solid hunk of iron that was just free floating in the wind. The rubber bushings that were supposed to suspend it were completely shot, and it had lateral and vertical movement, hitting the bed and frame in the process. I placed a 1x2 board between it and the frame, and then ziptied it down in two places. I immediately got it on the highway and had ZERO shakes all the way up to 80mph.

I googled this once I got home, and while there is limited information, it appears that Ford began installing these at the factory in 2007, and offered them to 04-06 owners that complained of shaking/vibrating while in warranty. Several members on the Raptor forum also mentioned removing this with no ill effects. The dealer wanted $275 for a new one, and the only way to get to it is to raise the bed to remove the two hold down bolts. I believe I am going to remove soon just so that I don't have a jerry-rigged hunk of metal under my truck.

Just something for you guys to look into if you are having weird vibrations or thud sounds when going over bumps.

 

I'd take a sawzall to the bracket and say to hell with it!!

 

That has to feel frustrating and satisfying all at the same time. Glad you found it.

 

One more reason to have confidence in the mechanics in the dealership isn't it?.... Or maybe not!

 

Any way to snap a pic of it?

 

I can't take one now, but try this link on the Raptor Forum:

http://www.raptorforumz.com/showthread.php?t=16910

 

Any pics of what you did?