My brother has a 92 GXE. I was putting a amp and sub in his trunk and I was trying to find a easy grounding point. Well I tried putting it under one of the nuts that holds that black thing down that is in the center right behind the rear seats and it is covered by a gray flap that is part of the trunk carpet. Well I ended up dropping on of those bolts (they come up from the bottom and a nut holds them from the top) So now that thing is only held in by 3 bolts....what is that black thing and will only having three bolts in it cause any problems? I tried to get the bolt back with a magnet but I cannot get it. Is there any way to get that bolt back? The area seems to be sealed so I don't think I can get to it from the bottom. Any help?

 

Same thing happened to me. I remember posting "wtHell is this black thing", here in the forums and nobody could really guess. Its a ballast, like a counterbalance weight for the whole car. Anyways, no missing a bolt is not critical. As long as it is centered and secure in the factory position. I lost a bolt too and damnit if I couldnt figure out how to get it out of there.

 

Some people on these forums removed that thing, it weighs about 40 pounds from what I remember. It was concluded that it was not necessary. After all, the SE version of our cars doesn't even have it.

So either it's some weird balance thing like TimberJon said, or maybe something to reduce vibration/noise. Those who removed it didn't seem to notice any difference. So who knows.

My theory is that the rear ride height was too high, and since they didn't want to remanufacture thousands of springs, they added a really heavy object into the trunk to allow the rear wheel gap to match up with the front.

 

I remember reading about it in GT4 (playstation 2). SOME of you may know what im talking about. The game called it ballast. You set a weight amount and put it forward from center, or backwards tick by tick. It improved handling and something about the center of balance for the vehicle. Anyways, It is probably there to help even the amount of weight that is put on the front and the rear suspension. The SE model doesnt have it because it is already sport tuned so to speak. Thats what I would think.

 

The SE has rear brake Proportioning valve setup (don't remember exact term). There are two devices inside of the ABS connectors on the rear that are connected to the rear suspension and brake lines. These adjust rear braking depending on the load in the rear. Perhaps the other cars in the line need the extra weight in the rear to keep the rear from unloading and skidding when unloaded?

 

those adjusting valves are only present on ABS equipped VEs.
No ABS VE = no valves and no trunk weight.

 

Well there you go. counterweight.

 

Can you point out more exactly where these devices are on the rear suspension? What happens then to the proportioning if the vehicle is lowered, and the sensor mistakes that for load, or is that not the case?

 

My 89 SE has the stupid weight thing in the back and If it weighs alot could I get better gas mileage if I took it out ?

Is there any side effects of removing the weight out of the trunk.......

 

I can't see there being any noticeable improvement in gas mileage if you took it out. I would say Nissan put it there for a reason, so I wouldn't worry about it.

 

mAd PoWaH yO...

 

Ha Ha Greeny....................

 

I've owned six 3rd gens and so far, there is no rhyme or reason for which cars have this "black ball" verses those that don't. I personally posted something years ago titled "bouncing ball" or something stupid tyring to figure out why it was in one of my cars. No one knew more then than now and I removed mine. I was able to get bolts back in the holes but don't recall how. I think I dropped a string down the holes and pulled bolts back up through the holes. It was in my way during efforts to install my stereo as well. Take it out!

 

I have a '90 SE and my car has that thing too. When I uninstalled my back seat and took out the trunk carpet from installing my sub box, I ran across this black tubular monstrosity. I figured it was some kinda dampening device so I let it be. I guess I'll just pull that thing out this weekend. :P

 

would lowering a car with these load sensors cause it to read" full trunk load?"
and what would happen,more pressure to the rears since more wieght would stop lock up?

 

most probably. because they attach to the rear arms.

 

Wow, I haven't visited the 3rd gen threads in a really long time. And it is absolutly hilarious that the frist time I pop in the thread on deck, is about the infamous black box.

 

not the black thing in the trunk thread. What is it know body knows.

 

40lb is too little to make a difference for weight distribution, that change will be offset far more when you put in fuel, have passengers, etc...

I've never seen it, maybe its just a big joke from Nissan.

 

hah... "here take this wierd black thing"

 

yeah, I pulled the black thing so that I could put a speaker box flat against the back seat. even if it is some kinda counterbalance, the weight of the amp/subs I installed exceeded the weight of the 'little black box'. I didn't notice any difference in the ride.

 

Perhaps this is how the Japenese get rid of unwanted toxic waste?

 

Indeed I am puzzled by that thing! It's not only a weight, but it's a hi-tech weight! You can try to twist it back and forth and there is certain amount of spin you can achieve, very little. Most certainly, the variations in trunk load and amount of gas make effect of this weight negligable. It's effect would be totally annihilated with one bag of golf clubs, or full size spare or a toolbox and by even one passenger in the back seat, no matter how small.

 

it's a bomb!

 

anyone have a pic of this black thing in the trunk?

 

you know i have always wondered what the hell it was for and when i bought it from my friend i asked him what the hell it was for and he thought it was for ski's just took his word and never gave it any thought since then. you know now i am curious what the hell that is for

 

this thread makes me laugh my *** off...I never noticed the black "thing" in my GXE...is it that seatbelt retractor look alike thing?

bwt when I put my system in I just drilled a hole and put a self tapping galvanized screw to hold it..

How about someone from the forum calls Nissan and asks how much that black thing would cost as the one you have is worn down and see what happens

 

Thats my idea too ask them for a new one because yours broke !!

Somebody do it!!!