Does anybody know what this separate bumper piece is?

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car48222

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I have a 2000 LS and I have this weird separate piece on one side of the bumper and I have no idea what it is. I would take a picture of mine, but it fell off, so here's where it was on the vehicle:
Pq54kRc.jpg


It was only on the passenger side, which I thought was odd. I always assumed the previous owner just rigged something up on my car because I couldn't find anything when I Googled it. But, I just saw another 2000 LS up close and it has the same insert here as mine did, except their's hasn't fallen out yet.

The best way I can describe it is it looks removable, as if they manufactured it that way, although I can't figure out why. I popped mine out last year trying to figure out what it was, and it was just connected by one little wire. Somehow mine came loose recently and it's on the side of the road somewhere. Now it looks awful with a big hole where that piece used to be, so I want to try and replace it but I have no idea what it's called and I don't want to have to replace the whole bumper assembly.

Does anybody have any idea what this thing is?
 
Yes, but without knowing the name I suppose I wasn't keying in on the right search terms. So let me ask another question - what is it for? I guess I can assume it's a cover for the tow hook, but why is it on one side (rather than both sides, or centered) and what is it used for? I actually had my car towed once and they didn't use it, so I'm assuming there is something else to it.

As far as how much I'd pay to replace, not much. I'll hit a few junkyards and see if I can find one.
 
Sounds like a plan.
Let me know how that works out.
 
So, I'm still unclear exactly how this thing works. I'm having trouble envisioning how you would tow the car from one side like that. What exactly was the point of this thing and why is it only on one side?
 
The LS is only to be towed on a flatbed wrecker. The tow hook,,, is were the wrecker drive would attach the winch cable to pull the LS up on the flatbed.
 
Oddly enough all LS OM's read the following:

"It is recommended that your vehicle be towed with a wheel lift or flatbed equipment. Do not tow with a slingbelt. Ford Motor Company has not approved a slingbelt towing procedure."

They even show an illustration of it, the wheel lift that is ... meaning they are suggesting it's ok to haul this thing around with the rears on the ground as the front is not supported by means of steering lock. Always thought that would/could damage the trans unless they planned on disconnecting the drive shaft.

I think not! ... Flatbed it is!


As far as Tow hook, left right or centered. It was the most practical place to put it I suppose. Do take note that behind the Tow Hook Cover there isn't actually a hook but rather a flimsy bracket where one would attach a tow hook. Not sure about others but I never found any actual hook anywhere.

Getting yanked out of a ditch would be done via the spokes on the wheels so as not to wreck anything cosmetics anyhow. Steel cables will tear into or off a bumper cover in a hurry I'm sure. They'd even look for something underneath the wheel axles as long as it's not harming any lines or electronics. If it's a wreck salvage, they'd hook onto what ever they feel is not going to get their knees too dirty.

... and, your not going to find these tow hook covers lickety-split just laying around at salvage yards but I told you that in not so many words already.

I happen to have two tow hook covers available to the highest bidders of course :p
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04_Sport_LS said:
The LS is only to be towed on a flatbed wrecker. The tow hook,,, is were the wrecker drive would attach the winch cable to pull the LS up on the flatbed.
Click to expand...

The tow hook was required for European cars. You'll notice it's only on the 1st gen (actually, IIRC, the mount is still there with no removable cover) the when the LS was supposed to be sold in Europe. It's for pulling the car out of a ditch. Both my 535i's have the tow hook stored in the trunk. It cracks me up to see rice-burners driving around with the hook installed. I guess they expect to wind up in a ditch...
 
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My 01 used to have a tow hook cover. Still does but it's not coming out ever.
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04_Sport_LS said:
That is my understanding too. Maybe the intention of the wheel dolly is to tow the LS by the rear???
Click to expand...

Here is an old version of the towing manual.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...ng.pdf&usg=AFQjCNFMqfcjCf3qRz4B6WzdDTeAI4KtsA

See page 22. It shows either a flatbed, or a wheel lift with the front wheels lifted and the rear wheels on a dolly.
Page 23 shows the rear wheels on the wheel lift and the front wheels on the ground. No mention is made of the fact that the steering does not lock.
 
I have towed my LS a number of times with a wheel lift. Just picked it up from the rear. I have not had a problem with the steering wheel not locking, the steering has moved a little bit not signifantly. You could pick it up from the front and put the rears on dollies, but it takes longer.

As far as the tow hook cover goes there are a number of euro cars that have a hook that screws in to provide a hook point for pulling the car out of a ditch or up a on a flatbed. The US LS's had the cover, but no tow hook or even a place to thread a hook into. If I needed to pull an LS out of a ditch there are slots on the frame where a j hook can be inserted and the car pulled out by the frame. Not all the euro cars have these on the frame, hence the tow hook points. I believe that by the 2nd gens the car was not selling much in europe and they eliminated the cover.

You can find some tow hook covers on ebay but they are expensive. I have been driving a 1st gen LS since 2003 and just lost my first tow hook cover a couple months ago. I have one I am going to put up on ebay soon, I think it is a pearly white color. Let me know if you are interested.
 
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