Missing energy absorber?

[roadside]

Hi All,

I just finished installing a backup sensor in my '09 Rogue ( zer...npics).

After removing the bumper, I noticed that the energy absorber (no. 3 in the picture below) is either missing or much smaller than the one in the picture. Could Nissan have forgotten to install the energy absorber?

I will remove the bumper again and have a closer look. I'm pretty sure the energy absorber is not there. But how can I ask the dealer to install it now that I've installed the backup sensors? The sensors require a modification (cut) to be made to the energy absorber.

Modified by roadside at 3:38 PM 10/6/2009
Modified by roadside at 3:39 PM 10/6/2009

[philipa_240sx]

I think this is what you are referring to:



An entire thread regarding the installation of backup sensors on the Rogue including photos can be found here:

zer...24021

[roadside]

I think this is what you are referring to:

An entire thread regarding the installation of backup sensors on the Rogue including photos can be found here:

zer...24021

I know. That thread is what helped me install the sensor. What I'm saying is that I'm pretty sure that piece (the energy absorber) is missing in my Rogue. I will remove the bumper again this weekend to have another look.

If indeed it is missing, should I ask the dealer to install it? He might be suspicious (like maybe think that I broke it) since I did a mod there. Also, before it is installed, custom cuts are needed (where those red circles are) to make room for the sensors.

[blaruffa]

I bet the difference is between the Canadian and US bumper requirements.

[roadside]

I bet the difference is between the Canadian and US bumper requirements.

Good catch, blaruffa. I bet you're right.

Any Canadian Rogue owners out there want to confirm this? Is there or isn't there an energy absorber behind your bumper (as in the picture above)?

Note that the Canadian bumper standard has since changed. Effective Sep. 1, 2009, it is now the same as in the US and Europe. Would you recommend ordering and installing the energy absorber in the Canadian model to minimize damage in the case of a rear-end collision?

[philipa_240sx]

I've only been able to find one part # listing for the Rogue bumper energy absorber. I have not been able to confirm if CDN models have a different one as most online parts catalogs are US based.

[koolyce]

I will check this tonight and get back to you.

[koolyce]

I will check this tonight and get back to you.

Sorry, I can't see under and I don't want to remove it...

[roadside]

OK. I detached the bumper (partly) and had another look. The energy absorber is there, but it is definitely a different part, much thinner and smaller than the US model pictured above. Here is the view from below (with bumper attached - back of car is down in pic):



The piece of foam on the reinforcement bar looks about a 1/2" thick. The shape is also different (though you can't tell from this pic). It doesn't have the three jutting shapes in the middle.
Modified by roadside at 12:45 PM 10/11/2009

[philipa_240sx]

If you are looking from below, you won't see the 3 pieces that 'jut out'. The only way to know for sure is to remove the bumper cover and look.

BTW, the Canadian standard was lowered from 8 km/h (5 mph) to 4 km/h (2.5 mph) to match the US and Europe. Based on that, the Canadian spec bumper should be stronger. However the old Canadian 8km/h standard was tested differently than in the US so it's difficult to say whether the bumper on a Canadian spec Rogue is weaker or stronger.

From the NHTSA website:

9) How does the U.S. the bumper standard compare to the Canadian and European standards?

Under the Canadian bumper standard, the vehicle is impacted into a fixed-collision barrier that is perpendicular to its line of travel while the vehicle is traveling longitudinally forward at 8 km/h (5 mph) and longitudinally backward at 8 km/h (5 mph), with its engine operating at idle speed. Every vehicle is impacted twice on the front and rear surfaces and once on each front and rear corner with the impact line at any height between 500mm (20 inches) and 400mm (16 inches). While the impact speed in the Canadian standard is higher than that in the U.S. standard, the Canadian standard has less stringent protective criteria. Specifically, the protective criteria for the Canadian standard requires that the vehicle does not touch the test device, except on the impact ridge with a force that exceeds 2000 lbs. on the combined surface of the test device.

The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) regulation No. 42 requires that a car's safety systems continue to operate normally after the car has been impacted by a pendulum or moving barrier on the front or rear longitudinally at 4 kilometers per hour (about 2.5 mph) and on the front and rear corner at 2.5 kilometers per hour (about 1.5 mph) at 455 mm (about 18 inches) above the ground under loaded and unloaded conditions.

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/Cars/Problems/ ... Index.html

[roadside]

Thanks for the detailed bumper standard info, philipa.

I did detach the bumper (about halfway), enough to see that the energy absorber is there and does not have those three shapes. I didn't take a picture because I didn't want to let go of the bumper or remove it entirely.

I will be helping a friend install a backup sensor in his '08 in the near future. I will post a better pic of the energy absorber at that time.

[piermorton]

I've read this post is about a year ago..I apologize for the disturbance. Just want to ask some things and i hope you guys will response to it. so it happened that my infiniti encountered an accident last week. just a little bit drunk from a part, i've hit the neigbor's fence. everything was fine but the energy absorber got damage and according to the mechanic, it needs to be replaced. anyone here knows how to replace an energy absorber? you can post pictures guides or pdf. I've owned this car for years and i want to to run it once again. I'm not a techie guy but im sure i can do the job in replacing it....as you know, everyone of us here wants to save money....Thanks in advance

[philipa_240sx]

I would post your question in the Infiniti I series forum:

maxima-forum-i30-i35-forum.html