Looking to take off my hitch... what is this "sensor bar" looking thing??

[table5511]

I'm looking to loose the hitch until needed in the future. Looks like I will have to unfasten some bumper straps, unbolt all 6 hitch bolts, likely have to put the bolts back in the holes in the side rails to prevent carbon dioxide leaks into the cabin.

I initially thought there was just the flat electrical connector, but upon closer inspection, there is also this sensor bar looking thing, looks like a mini version of the Wii sensor bar, mounted on the hitch, with a connector that appears that the only way to disconnect it is to break the connector housing.

Perhaps I may just leave the hitch on permanently, but I just hate to see it rust out. But I got nothing on this sensor bar looking thing.
Nothing in the OM about what it might be. May have to consult some electrical diagrams to try and figure it out...perhaps a rear safing sensor?

Anyone got any ideas?

 

[table5511]

ok so to answer my own question.... I think this an advanced keyless entry sensorbar. Mounted on the hitch?? I guess taking the hitch off isnt gonna happen.
So I wonder where this bar is located on non-hitched CX-9's?

 

[danz75]

You're correct. It's the advanced keyless entry sensor. I pondered on that the first time i saw it as well. Once you take off the hitch, you'll see a place close to that position that you can mount the sensor on. There's already 2 studs on there so you only need the nuts. It's been awhile since I looked down there but I believe you can see the studs in pics 1 and 2.

 

[table5511]

Thanks...perhaps there is hope afterall. I figure maybe it will save me a couple bucks a year on gas (literally, like 2 dollars a year) but it will also help keep the hitch strong, keep it from rusting.

 

[pyroMark]

I don't think it's wise to take the hitch off:
- Gas savings will be minimal
- It's an 08 and likely it's started to rust in place a bit already. Taking it out might mean it will be hard to re-install at a later date.

 

[table5511]

It actually has zero rust right now, after inspecting it. There are 3 bolts on either side attaching it to the side rails, which are no match for my torque wrench. I would re-install the bolts back into the side rails to prevent exhaust fumes from entering the cabin. Also there are 2 lower bumper straps which can easily be removed and re-installed. The only trick is this sensor bar, but as previously stated, sounds like it has an alternate mounting location.

The owners manual actually says to remove the hitch when not in use to avoid damage to the hitch in the event of a rear-end collision.
From a collision analysis perspective, cars are designed for the ideal situation of being rear ended square in the bumper, through the absorber, into the rebar, into the rear body, which collapses the floor pan, and starts buckling the quarters, and then starts collapsing the rails. This is how a vehicle is designed to absorb impact.

When you put a hitch into the equation, the hitch now takes the majority of the impact and goes straight to the side rails. This causes damage to the car that is not designed to happen this way, and also causes more substantial injuries to the occupants as you don't quite get as much of a buffer from the impact.

But on the downside....I'd have the hitch cutout on the bottom of the bumper...hmmm

 

[POODLES]

why waste your time removing it, only to maybe reinstall it later. put a ball on it and maybe people won't park so close to you in a parking lot and scratch up your bumper or put a hole in their rad!

 

[table5511]

why waste your time removing it, only to maybe reinstall it later.

Because of the reasons I just stated.