Hello all,

I am a new truck owner. Just bought my first F-150, 2013 5.0 with 60k miles. I love it so far.

To the topic, recently I have noticed when driving between 20-50 mph, the smallest bumps and imperfections in the road cause ONLY the drivers side of the tailgate to bounce quite a bit. I can see this in my drivers side mirror the whole driver side shaking.

About 3 weeks ago, I had my bed lined with a spray in bed liner. The shop told me that they attempted to get one of the bed mount bolts out with an impact, and they could not get it out, so they left them all in and sprayed the bed over the bolts. Before the bed liner went on, I had a tonneau cover over the bed, and never noticed the bed bouncing.

I have since gone back to the place where I had my bed lined, asking them if they possibly broke one of the bed mount bolts while attempting to get one of them out. They have told me that they only tried to get one of the bolts out, and the second they couldn't get it out, they didn't fuss with it and left them all alone.

I am sure that what I am experiencing is not normal. I have read some other forum posts where some people have claimed that this is normal, but I feel that my case is different seeing as it is only the drivers side, no movement from the passengers side.

I will be going back to the shop tomorrow, one of the employees said he is going to bring in a crowbar to put in between the bed and the frame to see if they separate (which I'm assuming will show if one of the bolts is busted).

What are your suggestions or recommendations? As I have said, this is my first truck, and though I don't feel that what I am seeings is normal, I am rather concerned. Your help and advice is much appreciated.

Thanks guys,

 

If you let them put a crow bar and push up or down there is chance you will get a slight bend. Go under and try to push on the bed with your hands that should provide enough pressure to rise your bed or move it.

 

Get a slight bend in what? The Frame?

 

I'm pretty sure it's just the mirror shaking as you drive. I see this as well on my 2011 and notice the mirror shakes as I go over bumps.

 

I bet that bolt would come out with a breaker bar and a snipe. Impacts aren't that great.

The guys at the bed liner place probably barely understand vehicles, let alone tools.

Oh well what's done is done.


I bet its your mirror shaking.

Don't let him put a crowbar in there.

 

My tailgate jumps,shakes, hops around 55mph. not my mirror. Real damn funny when someone has a problem how donkey holes have a smart answer, I think it's the mirror shaking, really? why not your famous answer, tires need road force balancing. It would be ok if he said when he looks out his window at that glass reflector thing moving really fast next to him that the whole world outside is shaking but no he said his tailgate, ok. so if you can help, please do. if not,, go play somewhere else

 

Now that you metion it maybe he needs to flush the air in his tires, mabye they are out of balacned.

 

Lol my truck does the same thing as the OP stated and I know for a fact my bed bolts aren't loose. It only does it on the drivers side mirror but if you look out the windshield mounted rear view it doesn't bounce at all.

 

Just don't let him put the crowbar in there, something might get dented and you'll just be more sorry, the hand pushing method or lightly jack it with a block of wood under the box - to distribute the wieght, the metal is thin. The truck is new enough are you under bumper to bumper? Maybe mention to the dealer you box is shaking and they can take a look?


EDIT: Just seen you are at 60k miles, freebie at the dealer out of the question keep us updated.

 

I know for a fact my mirror is not shaking. The tech drove around with me in the truck, holding the mirror saying that he sees the issue. He spot checked my tires, which only have 10k miles on them, and said they were fine. The tech told me he has been a mechanic for 15 years. Obviously he could be lying, but seemed to know what he was talking about. As I said I will be back there today, I will suggest all of your suggestions before a crowbar and see what comes of it. I do have an extended warranty I bought while buying the truck.

What is he concern if he uses a crowbar? I am not sure I'm understanding. The under side of the bed is a soft metal and may bend?