Curt hitch install question... Help please!

I'm installing my Curt hitch right now.
I had to remove the big black plastic splash guard thing, because I didn't have a socket extension long enough to reach through the "tow loop cut out" in the fascia.

Is it necessary to remove the big plastic fascia thing for this install?
Is it ok if that piece remains off of the vehicle, or should it stay on? Will this be cause for any potential problems?

Please let me know soon, if you can!

Thanks as always.
EDIT - I have the problem solved, and also added pics of the Curt hitch and my Saris T-Bones bike rack to post #21 (top of page 3) in this thread. Enjoy!

 

Awesome! Thanks!
I assume that the only problem might be a little extra drag without that fascia piece... But that shouldn't be too bad... Right?

 

I wonder how much drag in reality it will cause. Can you link to wherever you read that?

 

So are you guys suggesting takethe fascia completely off, install hitch, then cut a slot in the fascia so it will reinstall "around" the already installed hitch?
This was a fairly simple install, as I read it would be... but I of course made it a little more difficult than it needed to be.

Thanks a lot, guys.
I appreciate the help!

 

The fascia is being a real PITA to put back on. UGH.
UGH.

Any tips? Anyone?

 

It really seems like it doesn't want to go back on with the hitch being there. It's like there isn't enough clearance now.

Can anyone with a 2010 and Curt hitch please confirm whether or not the fascia will fit with the hitch installed??

 

Ok... I kinda gave up on reinstalling the rearmost fascia. It just didn't want to fit in between the Curt hitch and the car.

I did see what rachaelseven mentioned. There are two "fins" on the other fascia piece, the one that is adjacent to the one I removed. (toward the front of the car)
So, the two fin things are still there, which supposedly help with handling at high speeds...

I guess only time will tell if that rearmost fascia was really needed or not.
I can't imagine it creating THAT much more drag, but maybe it will.

According to another's post, the installer referenced the fascia and sure made it sound like the hitch does indeed fit over the fascia without having to remove it. Ugh.
Maybe tomorrow I'll take the whole thing off and try to put the fascia back on, then start over again. (since I know have a socket extension that's long enough) UGH!!!!!!!!! Unless of course someone convinces me in the meantime that it's not worth putting the rearmost fascia back on.

 

I already took it off and installed the hitch.
I did cut one single slit into the fascia, so that it would hopefully slide around the driver's side hitch mount... and it did slide around it, but I can't squeeze the fascia back into place between the hitch bar and the car itself.

I ended up going to buy a socket extension that was long enough.
I will probably end up taking the hitch back off, trying to put the fascia back on, then putting the hitch on over the fascia by using the socket extension.

I took an approximately 30 mile commute to school today (where I am now), which included about 25 miles or so of interstate travel.
I didn't notice any drag (judging by the MPG meter)... but I don't like the idea of the wind rushing back and catching in the rear bumper... so I guess I will be back on the ground when I get home. Yay!! (not)

 

Well... it was MUCH easier the second time around... I guess because I knew what to expect and because I had a long enough socket extension from the beginning.

I took the hitch off, put the black plastic rearmost fascia piece back on, followed by the hitch going on again. I got my bike Saris T-Bones rack in a few days ago, so when my bike comes in (hopefully next week) I will take pics and display it all for those who may be interested in these things.

Phew...glad that's over with. My hands are a bit cut up, but I feel accomplished!

 

It looks great. You can barely see it when no ball / bike rack mount is there.
It really is a simple install.

It's as easy as removing four bolts, taking off the factory tow plate thing, putting up the Curt hitch, and bolting it into the factory holes.

I will take a few pics in a little while. I'm about to go off for a bit.
Check back later.

 

Sorry, mel1000. I meant to take some pics yesterday evening but have been super busy lately. School just started back up again and the girlfriend ended up coming over, so you know what that means.

If Jim Coleman doesn't beat me to it, I'll post some pics up as soon as I can.