How hard is to remove the rear bumper 'parking guard' on a 2007 XC70?

[sanford78]

I am looking to remove the rear bumper parking guard (indicated in picture below by red arrows) on my 2007 XC70.

I'm wondering how hard this is, and if it's even possible to remove. I want to do this because the bike rack I just purchased hits / collides with this protruding piece when it folds up into it's stowed position... and removing it so I have a flush bumper would give me just enough room!



PS - I have looked into hitch extender & risers, but I haven't found a riser + extender combo that will clear this plastic piece, and just a straight extender puts the rack too close to the ground (the departure angle is reduced too much and the rack bottoms out when pulling into sloped driveways etc.)

Thanks so much for any help or suggestions!

[erikv11]

On our 07 XC70 I bought the standard hitch, I think it is Curt, and one short extender piece. It works great with our folding bike rack. I use a couple hitch tighteners (https://www.amazon.com/Lifetime-Warrant ... NrPXRydWU=); would that small amount of lift make a difference?

Let me know if pics would help but maybe it is just an unfortunate mix of the parking guard and your particular rack.

[sanford78]

Thanks so much for the reply. I also installed an aftermarket Curt hitch.

I would be curious what type of extender you used, I've only been able to find large 1.25" to 2" adapters, but a short 1.25" to 1.25" extender might just work.

[erikv11]

I actually needed to step up to a 2" hole for the bike rack so mine is 1.25" > 2".

I saw one short (6") 1.25 extender in online searches, at etrailer.com but its pricey at $80. Amazon has the standard 7" one (Curt 45789) for like $28. I don't know how long ours is but I can measure later on if it helps.

[BlackBart]

erik - what do the two big U-bolts do?

[erikv11]

erik - what do the two big U-bolts do?

Those are part of the "hitch tighteners" (https://www.amazon.com/Lifetime-Warrant ... NrPXRydWU=) they keep the parts from rattling where you have a connection. The hitch pin alone is not enough to stop up and down movement of the rack when you go over bumps, or of the extension tube on the hitch. The connections are noisy without the tighteners but silent with them.