F-150 Exhaust part - need to figger out what this is

[wb8yjf]

2000 F-150 - V6. The other day I started hearing a rattle on the passenger side. After getting home, I looked underneath and there is a broken clamp (aprox. under the passenger seat) attached to the exhaust pipe with some sort of gizmo attached to it. The 'thing' looks like a 1 - 1 1/2" diameter 'pipe' about 6" long and is sealed on both ends. A weight of some sort? Anywho, that is what is making all the racket. My question is do I need that thing? I assume it is there for a reason, but what? I'd love to cut the clamp off and get back to being a quiet ride. The rest of the exhaust system feels tight and solid.

Any idea of what that thing is used for?

Thanks!
Jon

 

[TexasNomad]

I'd highly recommend NOT cutting it off it might not be causing any problems for now, is there any way you can get a pic of it??

 

[Blue Goose]

I don't know what the technical name for it is, but it dampens exhaust harmonics......droans etc.

 

[blacksnapon]

2000 F-150 - V6. The other day I started hearing a rattle on the passenger side. After getting home, I looked underneath and there is a broken clamp (aprox. under the passenger seat) attached to the exhaust pipe with some sort of gizmo attached to it. The 'thing' looks like a 1 - 1 1/2" diameter 'pipe' about 6" long and is sealed on both ends. A weight of some sort? Anywho, that is what is making all the racket. My question is do I need that thing? I assume it is there for a reason, but what? I'd love to cut the clamp off and get back to being a quiet ride. The rest of the exhaust system feels tight and solid.

Any idea of what that thing is used for?

Thanks!
Jon

It actually is a weight. The manufacturers, in an effort to get rid of harmonic noises/vibrations have been hanging weights on components. If you remove it, you may discover some new noises/vibrations. If you understand the new issues, and dont mind them, remove it.

 

[wb8yjf]

Thank you for the replies! I kind of figured it was a weight to cancel harmonic vibrations in the exhaust system, other than that I couldn't see any reason for it. thing is now that it is flopping around - I think I now understand what it is for. The noise I hear from there is pretty annoying & sounds loud (albeit I'm hearing it from inside the cab ) I think I'll secure the clamp for now with wire or some such thing to stop it from free swinging. I'm guessing the clamp attached to the bottom of the body and that is where it let loose. I just want it to stop vibrating and embarrassing me at a light I'll replace it when it gets warm again...

Thank you all again!
Jon

 

[CowboyBilly9Mile]

More specifically, it's a ballast (added mass), what it does is alter/change the natural frequency of something, in this case part of your exhaust system.