I have a 2001 SSei. What the heck are those 2 protrusions on each side of the trunk top?

They look like they are designed to do something, but there is nothing for them to do except 1.) take up trunk space and 2.) push against the back of the rear seats.

I looked at an '03 and they are not in that trunk. The front end of each plastic 2-piece "arm" clips into the crossmember that forms the leading edge trunk opening. The 2 pieces of each arm look like they slip into each other and then lock in one of 2 different lengths using a button-and-hole affair. The other end of each arm is riveted to what looks like a plastic cover that surrounds the "pass through" to the car'* inside. Each arm is positioned just to the inside edge of each speaker. The strange thing about these things that make them appear like they SHOULD do something is that each has a 1"x1"x5" strip of foam glued to the top side very near where the speaker would meet the arm IF I were to force an arm upward and then outward toward each speaker magnet. These arms are actually about 6" from the closest point to either speaker so I doubt they have anything to do with speaker protection. WTF are they for? Looks like all they would do is get in the way when trying to load the trunk. Can anyone get a picture of one of these doggies so folks can see what I'm talking about. I do not have access to a good digital camera.

Who knows what I am talking about?

I'm not sure exactly what your talking about, and I've spent alot of time in my trunk and rear deck, Here'* the only stock picture I have of my trunk. (long time since I've seen that in person.

Side note btw, The +00 bonneville trunk is almost identical to 96-99 aurora'* in exact shape and layout.

Taylor, right under your rear deck between the 2 trunk lid hinges is the 2 strips compyelc4 is mentioning. I think they're speaker gaurds and serve no real purpose.

Well I can assure you that they are not there now in my trunk.

Taylor,

Those ugly appendages don't appear in your picture. They would show if I had taken the same picture of my trunk. Mine hang down (I wish ) about 6" from the speaker magnets, and about 4" to 6" to the inside of the magnets. They acted like they would break before I got within 4" of the top of the trunk. I tried pressing up on the little turds to see if they were out of alignment or something. They appear to be right where Pontiac wanted them.

Nice speaker setup however! Too bad you can't drive around with the trunk open. :P

Pontiacdad,

You've helped me before. Do you have that mess in your trunk? Forgot your year.

Oops Taylor,

I looked at your picture closer. What I thought were speakers are award plaques aren't they? Those little silver round doojies behind them are probably the speakers, right? The old eyes aren't what they used to be..

I had the same plastic in my trunk and it annoyed me so much I switched it with a 2001 SSEi which does not have these plastic arms. I thought mine were making noise at first because of the way they hang down but it was my headliner magnet causing the noise. I found out after switching the plastic but I liked the 2001 better so I left it in

JMP417,

Okay. Now I'm really confused. Mine IS a 2001 SSei. I thought I mentioned that! :?

Yes, Mine is a 2000 SSEi and the one I switched with was a 2001. I don't know why they are different :?

I have them on my 2000 SSEi. They have small pieces of foam that sit under the rear speakers. All that I can see that they do is provide a support for the big plastic cover hat runs across the back wall of the trunk (behind the rear seat), and perhaps act as a guard for the speakers. I don't see why you couldn't cut them off, then mount the plastic trunk wall cover with screws, taking care not to drill into all the electronic goodies that it conceals.