bigfatty

iTrader: (1)

I was changing my alternator today, so I pulled off the plastic cover underneath the AC compressor and got this surprise. The cross beam that supports the frame is rusted something horrible. Large pieces of it are breaking away. The metal warped where the other 'beam", sorry dont know correct word, that comes off it in the middle. I just need help on much of a structure issue is this and how fix if necessary, also how did it happen? Thanks for all the help out there guys.

MadMax07SL

If you live near the coast, or they use salt on your roads, that's the cause of that kind of rust most of the time. Perhaps a previous owner lived there if you weren't the origional owner.

As bad as that is, I'd take the alternator back and get a refund. Then, trade in that car quick before your car looks like his:::

hectorc

iTrader: (4)

That is more common than you think it is. It happens quite often in the midwest or any areas that receive plenty of snow. I as well as a few other 4th gen members in IL have replaced ours. I heard that Nissan dealerships will replace and weld the lower part for under $200. I'd go that route and get it done.

Lontar1

iTrader: (5)

try to get it fixed if you are planning on keeping the car.. if not well fix it as a precaution, who knows what might happen....

e-subliminal-2

iTrader: (7)

Is that the CRossmember and frame??? Wow that looks bad. I'd take hectorc's approach even though I didn't know they did that. Me personally, i'd start looking for a new car.

1997MAXZ

mine looks similar on my 97 and im getting a bit nervous with winter approaching here in Boston, for 200 I would get it fixed tommorow but i doubt i can find some one to fix it for that price.

bigfatty

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for all the help out there, dont stop commenting if you have a thought, but I would be frustrated if this is what ends my run with a Maxima.

I am in Rockford, so not too far at all for a Chicago dealership, anyone one you can recommend for me?

Rochester

iTrader: (3)

Yes, it's rusty, and it's kind of scary seeing that crap under your car. But there's probably a lot more structural integrity remaining than you imagine. Steel is pretty strong, even when it's getting rusty.

By all means, have a shop look at it and make recommendations or repairs. But at the same time, don't be afraid to drive your car.

knight_yyz

iTrader: (40)

It's the lower part of the rad support. I know up here is Canada it's about a 400 dollar job including the part. The old old has to be cut out, and the new welded in. The crossmember is probably fine.

M1RAG3

I agree that looks like the lower rad support....

1997MAXZ

is this 200$ estimate from the dealer even true/ nation wide due to the fact they feel bad, because I thought about it overnight and if it is true my car will be there today??

hot_wax_tree

This is your best answer. Go to a local trustworhty shop and ask them. The guys on here are very knowledge able but you dont know who is a professional and who is just some guy making a guess. Go to a professional shop that you trust and ask them what to do.

I say that is really bad you will need to replace some how.

It looks like the lower rad support to me, and that also makes sense. Get it checked out. Your frame and frame connectors are nothing to me taken lightly.

Jake

rroderiques77

iTrader: (45)

I would get rid of the car.

ridinwitha35

iTrader: (1)

If you're in Rockford, IL, a fellow member has done a few of these for other Midwestern members....see his post here and send him a PM.

raaizin

When I change my oil or do maintanence on my car, I do a visual inspection to catch stuff like this before it gets out of hand. A little wire brush and primer goes a long way in preventing rust from spreading.

coldfear13

iTrader: (3)

on my old 4th gen, the radiator support rusted through completely where the two bolts are. payed 400 for the part and 100 for the work. my friend had the same thing and payed close to 1k, thats brooklyn prices for ya =[

Professor

iTrader: (4)

Pretty common, I had my all cleaned up and re welded to fill in the craters and holes, came out nice, I don't know if there all like mine but there is a cast iron beam through the center of that wrapped in the steel, it took over 2 hours for my brother to weld it because of the cast iron that's inside.

djfrestyl

iTrader: (89)

It's the lower radiator support for sure. Common issue. You should get it replaced soon. Unfortunately it's not something you can do yourself unless you have or know someone that has a welder.

mandyfig

That's really bad looking...hence it pays to inspect your underside once in a while. Probably been happeing for a long time.

williamgd2

Find a welding shop that does car frames,I bet you can get it done for under $400.00 But you probably will have to shop around.Or find a fellow org member who can weld.

Mu_036sp

iTrader: (2)

Get that Fixed ASAP, If youre selling it. Still Fix it please lol. Screwing someone later will always come back n get ya. id pay how much ever to fix that.

LoveSick

That looks bad, but here is the good news.

As mentioned, the rusted area is the lower radiator support, and is VERY easy to replace. The radiator support is installed in such a way that it could be removed and installed in a matter of minutes, excluding bumper removal. The support is welded on by spot welds, and you don't need a bodyshop to do it.

It is far cheaper to replace the entire radiator support than to simply "repair" the rusted area. A brand new radiator support costs around $250 from the dealer. Here is an idea of what it looks like:

djfrestyl

iTrader: (89)

^^ That looks like the UPPER rad support, not the lower.

LoveSick

The radiator support in the picture contains both the lower and the upper. Nissan does not sell just the lower support. They are connected and are only installed as an assembly.

MyownNismo

iTrader: (13)

I am getting this looked at sometime this week.

josh662234

happened to my 97. The crossmember completely broke off and it was just hanging there. Had a fellow orger here in the boston area do all the work, even ordered the part, for under 450.

4thgenmaxboy

A new core support for the 2000-2003 Maxima from Certifit is about $50.00. The fit is really good, and everything seemed to line up good when I used this core support to fix my 03 Maxima front end. Maybe these aftermarket supports will last longer than the O.E. supports. Only time will tell.

Shift_Max

iTrader: (18)

Pretty common on maximas especially the older gen models. Like others have stated, fix it even if you plan to sell the car or advise the buyer of it. However it is not that big of a deal to replace it.

.aNiMaL

id fix it asap. Driving around with a rusted crossmember like that would scare me. Get an estimate from Nissan first then go from there. Good Luck!

maximal01

http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/sk...ts+%26+Mirrors

same problem here in pa ill be replacing the reinforced bumper some time in january

djfrestyl

iTrader: (89)

^^ That's not the part we're talking about.

Rochester

iTrader: (3)

djfrestyl, he's a Toydarian. Mind tricks don't work on him.

FanaticMadMax

I would have it checked by the body shop, i'm sure they strip that rust and prime it and rust proof coating on it, That's the only way, since you live in the NE states, where you get a lot of snow, it's all to common with the rust issues, no matter what kind of cars you get. BTW, how hard is it to replace the alternator?, since I noticed it look like it's hard to access to change the alternator since it's at the bottom end of the engine.

barrylaud

iTrader: (6)

BigFatty- Did you ever have this looked at? It could be dangerous driving the car in this condition.

Generally that lower radiator support part can be replaced without the entire core support replaced. You need to consult a local body shop.

MoncefA33

iTrader: (6)

I should probably check mine, since my car comes from MN. Although when I was doing headers the core support didn't seem nasty, the crossmember had a little bit of rustage on it though

JonBlz

iTrader: (11)

I know someone that there's broke off completely and the front was hangin and from him being so low when we went into a gas station that had a little bumpe it did quite some damage under there

kbohip

Amazingly enough mine is rust free. Here in Colorado they don't use much salt. Actually they barely even plow the roads at all anymore. You need to get that taken care of asap. That rust will spread very fast now. Personally I'd just buy the new part and make sure to keep an eye on it in the future.

2slow

iTrader: (6)

Really? Nissan (dealers) list each component individually.

From https://www.everythingnissan.com/nis...ima-parts.html (not a direct link).

louied9

thank god for this forum and its members., Now I am one of them.. I am a gearhead with no fear of removing /replacing any parts on my cars or truck.. I have been suprised after replacing my alt just last week to see the rad support pretty rusted.. it scared the crap out of me , since I just bought this car.. I should hunt down the seller since he did not disclose this to me.. SOB..
the part from nissan seems reasonable about 345$ , minus a local mechanics discount.. looks pretty straight forward, remove all parts up front whack out the old support assy, install new and reassemble.. looks like a 4-6 hour job.. I will be attempting this SOONER than later , but in the meantime I coated it with a POR-15 type of paint to seal it and protect it from further rust.. ill be sure to do a write up when I complete the job with PICS>

andrewmac

iTrader: (2)

If you bought the car and didn't notice the radiator support then you didn't look very hard at it. Always have a look underneath before you buy. Also, $345 seems high, you should only need the lower radiator support:

http://www.courtesyparts.com/62530m-...ml?cPath=1956&

That seems a bit better. Also, I hope you have a welder because you aren't supposed to just bolt the thing on. Bolt it on, weld it, seam sealer everywhere. I'm about to go buy a welder and learn how to weld for this specific reason.