As I was installing the trailer hitch on my 2005 xb last week, part of the installation required removing the rear tie-down brackets.

After I took them off, I got to wondering just why they were never removed after delivery to the dealer.

To my mind it makes no sense to carry around the extra weight of those heavy brackst if you don't have to.

My advice?
TAKE THEM OFF.

 

tie down bracket? pic?

 

Sorry, no pictures.

Lie down under the back of the car
Look forward of the rear bumper, but aft of the rear wheels, to the right and left.
See Triangular shaped plates vertically bolted ( 2 bolts each) to frame with a hole in the lower apex.

Replace bolts after removing plates. :D

 

They can also be used as a jacking point. I removed mine cause they blocked the view of my exhaust thru the wheel. lol
They are the brackets bolted to either side of the rear framerails. One of them is right next to the exhaust.

 

They can also be used as a jacking point and might come in handy if you ever need to be flatbed towed.
I removed mine cause they blocked the view of my exhaust thru the wheel.
They are the brackets bolted to either side of the rear framerails. One of them is right next to the exhaust.

 

I removed my passenger's side since it interferes with my Magnaflow... as to the weight.... that's not really going to make any difference.

 

They can also be used if you break down and get towed on a flatbed truck.

 

Is there an echo in here???

 

Didn't see that. i read jacking point and went to the next line because that is not a safe place to jack a car.

 

When using a real floor jack it is a very handy jacking point. Always remember to use jackstands tho to be safe.