Question on D4

[maggsie]

Having just taken possession of an 09 D4 a couple of questions:

The car was advertised as a HSE, so what are the obvious distinguishing features for an 09 model (I don't believe it is a HSE)

There is absolutely no badging on the rear tailgate (doesn't concern me at all) just curious.
I have checked the VIN No. and it comes up as 3.0L twin turbo

Anyone provide an answer

Another gremlin is the factory tow-hitch. I have retracted the spring loaded tongue as far as the handle will turn, the tongue will not fit into the receiver as it needs to retract about another 2mm. I dont think the previous owner has ever tried to fit it. Looks like I'll have to do a bit of alteration to make it fit.
Regards
Maggsie

[Epic pooh]

No idea on the first question.

The second, if it's not been used for a long time it may need some lube - spray it with some penetrating oil (not wd40) and then operate it a few times and it should fit fine. Don't "alter" it. They are a snug fit by design. Mine acts like yours if not used for a while on occasion.

[TerryO]

Does it have captains chairs? If it does then unless it has been altered chances are its a HSE.

Plus you can check on Topix what model it is and what features it has.

[SBD4]

I assume you checked on topix using your VIN, make sure you have a look at the "more details" dialog. You'll get this by clicking the icon next to the print icon at the top of the vehicle features panel. You should see something like "HSE SALES BADGE" which is what mine shows.

[Graeme]

Topix should show the badging - it does for my 2009 MY10 SE.

Don't modify anything in the tow coupling, instead squirting copious amounts of WD40 or similar until the mechanism opens fully. You don't want the coupling later dropping out with a van or trailer attached!

Edit. Look what happens when the session fails - lots of answers where there were none!

[maggsie]

Thanks and yes it does have Captain's chairs. So it an HSE.

[LandyAndy]

Re the tow hitch.
BMKAL,Brian was here today.
He had to modify his factory hitch to make it work.
It was simply a matter of grinding the edge off the "pointy end".
Im sure he will add more.He couldnt get his to lock in either.
Andrew

[nat_89]

I think the main point to tell a HSE is also memory seats to as they can not be optioned.

[BMKal]

Another gremlin is the factory tow-hitch. I have retracted the spring loaded tongue as far as the handle will turn, the tongue will not fit into the receiver as it needs to retract about another 2mm. I dont think the previous owner has ever tried to fit it. Looks like I'll have to do a bit of alteration to make it fit.
Regards
Maggsie


Re the tow hitch.
BMKAL,Brian was here today.
He had to modify his factory hitch to make it work.
It was simply a matter of grinding the edge off the "pointy end".
Im sure he will add more.He couldnt get his to lock in either.
Andrew

Not quite sure from the description if we had the same problem.

On mine, I could not push the hitch fully up into the car (even with a hydraulic trolley jack under it), which in turn would not allow the stainless steel latch pin to go fully "home" into it's locking location. I found that the tapered end of the pin was just catching on the edge of the hole it was supposed to go into. It did hold the hitch in position, but was certainly not a safe and secure locking action.

We fixed by giving the very top edge of the hitch a very light buffing with an angle grinder - would have taken off no more than a mm or so. After this, the hitch pushes up slightly further into the car, and the stainless steel locking pin now goes fully "home" - and I am much happier that it isn't all going to drop out on me halfway between Southern Cross & Coolgardie or some equally isolated place.

Not sure what the problem was - may have been a rough casting fault - or maybe just a little too much paint. The fix was easy and took only a couple of minutes of trial & error until it all felt good.

[Epic pooh]

I use 3 in 1 Dry Lube spray on mine which works well; Grahame has success with WD-40 (so that must be ok too) ... either way, that would be the place to start as Maggsie seems to have the same issue that I have struck on occasion. Lube up the receiver path as well. I'd be starting there first.

[maggsie]

That's what I was considering if the Lubricant doesn't work.
Regards
Maggsie

[Epic pooh]

Has the red plug been installed when the hitch has not been fitted ? If not, give the receiver channel a good clean as muck can accumulate up there and cause your problem.

[LandyAndy]

Any liquid lube will make the issue worse when it attracts dust.
We use a spray on graphite spray on our graders,should work better than a wet lube.Just looks like grey primer when dry.
Andrew

[Ferret]

Another gremlin is the factory tow-hitch. I have retracted the spring loaded tongue as far as the handle will turn, the tongue will not fit into the receiver as it needs to retract about another 2mm. I dont think the previous owner has ever tried to fit it. Looks like I'll have to do a bit of alteration to make it fit.

I believe your problem is you may not have used the little red key to unlock it prior to fitting it, so tongue will not retract completely.

Imagine the reverse situation, if the tow fitting was inserted into the hitch, it could not be removed because that tongue thing could not be retracted fully without first unlocking it.

Do you have the key? If so, insert it and ensure it is turned the direction of the 'open lock' icon. Then try fitting and turning the handle thingo again.

[Graeme]

The mechanism on mine gets choked with gritty dirt that has taken a fair amount of washing out to free then clean-up on the very few occasions it has been removed.

[maggsie]

No I still have the two keys supplied from new, the red insert is also in place so the receiver was clean as whistle. The tow hitch has never been on the car in fact I don't think it had ever been removed from the storage area.
Regards
Maggsie

[Celtoid]

I believe your problem is you may not have used the little red key to unlock it prior to fitting it, so tongue will not retract completely.

Imagine the reverse situation, if the tow fitting was inserted into the hitch, it could not be removed because that tongue thing could not be retracted fully without first unlocking it.

Do you have the key? If so, insert it and ensure it is turned the direction of the 'open lock' icon. Then try fitting and turning the handle thingo again.



I was thinking about this maybe being the issue, as you can still move the mechanism a bit even when locked (from memory).


One time however I had to pull the receiver assembly apart to clean and regrease. It's pretty simple and did the trick.