I've read of members getting their replacement rad supports from dealers or www.worldpartsexpress.com ($130USD)...just not eBay.

I'm curious what you guys think of the radiator support listed at RockAuto.com. It looks like a FULL support, and it's listed at ~$55USD. I can't link it because their parts catalog is based on Flash or something, but you can see it if you select "Body-Exterior" > "Radiator Support".

I've always heard good things about RockAuto but this seems too good to be true.

 

I've never had a problem with parts from Rock Auto.

 

i just got the bottom support from nissan for 130. made me more comfortable to replace that part of my car with Nissan brand.

 

Everyone that sells them besides OEM are stuff that's made in China (same as ebay).

I would spend the extra buck and buy OEM, just the bottom piece, rust proof that and install.

I had issues with the bolts that bolt the bottom piece into the ebay units.

 

Read what I am typing well. Any support besides the dealer will not last long. I have went that route personally myself and I just had mine redone last week with the OEM version. Because I knew the parts guy, I only paid $145 just for the bottom. The dealer version has an extra plate of steel where the engine mounts. The after market ones don't and will not be able to support the weight of the engine. I even tried to re-weld back the aftermarket one after it broke and it just broke in a different spot..

Do not buy aftermarket for this part or else you will be sorry. Don't make the same mistake I did and pay $800 twice which os $1600 to do the job right.

 

Thankx for that warning Trini - I'm looking at that for a spring 'mod' ha! I'll spend the $$ for the good part.

 

+1. I got the complete rad support from RockAuto, on minor issues with radiator mounts on the top.

 

How long did you have your support installed? Did you go back and recently inspect it or heard a grinding noise that sounds like your wheel bearings?

 

The product was made with the same material then as it is now. Go to autozone, pepboys, walmart, wherever, and get some truck bed undercoating and spray it on there AFTER you replace the part.

 

I'm not really sure what your asking here.

 

Thanks for all the replies guys. RockAuto has a solid rep but shipping for me (Canada) is $160 not including taxes and duty so that's out. I'm looking into a possible dealership connection up here so hopefully that pans out. Special thanks to Trini for the heads up.

Also, Conrad283 great advice. Will do that as well.

Since posting this I've taken the front end apart and found I need to replace the actual bumper too. It's not rusted in half YET but shortly, it's also visivly folded slightly on one side from a previous accident. Probably better to replace everything now before it becomes a problem.

Hell it'd be a pretty good time to track down a 97-99 front end and see about converting.

 

I'm still weighing options; the full dealer support is $500 and if I can help it I'd like to avoid spending that much. Aftermarkets and wrecker OE's fall in the $150 range but I don't want to end up in a situation like Trini, having to replace it twice.

What are your opinions on buying aftermarket, and welding a steel plate or two to reinforce the lower support BEFORE installation?

Or do I just suck it up and buy from the dealership? I'm probably going to have to live on cans of beans for the next few weeks, won't I.....

 

Stick to OEM, I replaced mine 3 times cuz I kept going cheap... first I got a $30 from Keystone, then I got one for $50 from www.certifit.com each one lasted me 3 months. Lastly I paid $337 for a OEM Nissan one and I've had it over a year and it still looks new. Save your time and spend a few more bucks on the nissan one. I did not replace the bottom portion but the entire thing.

My cousin got in an accident with her Max so I'm gonna be replacing her support sometime this coming weekend or so. I justmay end up making a write up with pics and video if there's enough demand for it

 

Just to show you what a support from Rock Auto or any other aftermarket place will look like after 90 days. Dont waste your time...seriously. Fitment isn't all that great either, you need to bang here and there with a hammer to make stuff fit. When I did the OEM one, all I did was bolt it and everything aligned nicely and straight.









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Listen to me and do what I did. I am not sure which dealer you called up but they carry the lower piece only. That is all you need unless you were in previous accidents and the upper part is damaged as well. This was my case and what I did was buy the lower piece from the dealer and buy a full aftermarket one and detach the upper part to use with the lower OEM support. Still works out wayy cheaper than $500. If they don't want to give you the lower separate, call another dealer or as I see other orders on here do, just PM DaveB. Good luck and post if you need more help.

ColumbiamMax posted great pics as well even if you try to fix it as I did as well....
I am soo trying to find me a dark blue pearl max fully loaded with black leather .. just love seeing his car everytime he posts..

 

Also wanted to point out that list price for ALL Nissan dealers in the US is 383.75, some will try to make more but I'm sure you can tell them list price for that item is 383.75. The lower piece list is like 120-150 OEM.

According to www.Courtesyparts.com its $294 plus shipping for the complete core support

http://www.courtesyparts.com/62500-s...-p-126542.html

On the car remark thank you sir, I put the black leather in myself Sucks that its super hard to find body parts for them at the JY in that color.

 

Man, it sucks that you have to search through thick and thin to come across that color. My neightbor has one directly across the street from me and it is in such a disgraceful condition that everytime I see it, I just put my head down in shame. The roof is caved in, suspension is shot, doors have been imporperly repaired, paint chipping, cranking excessively long to start...wish they just give it to me for $500 or less..

 

Haven't checked this in a couple days, but GREAT posts all. Thank you. Those pics go a long way John, I appreciate it.

I was only considering getting the whole rad support to avoid breaking welds and re-welding the lower piece. My local dealership in Guelph, ON quoted $471CDN for the entire support and $291CDN for the lower support only. Courtesy does offer these at a better price but shipping is $60 or $240USD for lower and whole, respectively.

After conversion and duties the lower support from Courtesy isn't MUCH cheaper than just getting it locally.

So OEM it is. I'll order it up and rip everything apart this weekend, maybe snap a few pics to post if you guys are interested. I know I'll find out soon enough, but can you guys confirm if the WHOLE rad support is bolted or welded to the rest of the car? I'd like to get the whole thing off to do the lower support swap, and wreckers have told me welded. Just trying to plan out how much beer I have to get for my one friend with a welder.

 

Yeah definitely you need a welder to join it. It welds on by the corner lights on both sides and also down at the bottom. The reason I say go that route is because the guy I let do mine was able to do this without disconnecting the radiator or the condenser. So no need for new freon or antifreeze drain.

 

i'd buy some rubberized undercoating and seriously spray that bish up before you get it installed.

good luck my lower support is rusted to **** it's horrible..

 

No problem man... as for welding; you need to weld right where the fender meets the support up top near the corner lamp. You'll basically see where the spot welds are once you start tearing it apart. Also where the supports for the bumper reinforcement goes, yes that will be fun to break the welds on unless you have an air hammer/chisel.

As for keeping the condenser and radiator attached so you don't have to drain either one... just look at my last pic. I did no have to touch either one, just make sure you have someone to help hold them in place or lift while you're positioning the new support. No biggie

 

So whats the part number on the OEM lower portion only?

I should buy a butt load of them and fix all the 4th gens around here. They are all rotted out. Salt is a *****.

 

This is the part number on courtesyparts.com 62530-A32B001. Like I said, I went to the dealer and since I knew the guys, I paid $145. Hope you are lucky because I am no longer using aftermarket parts for my car seeing that they don't hold up long at all.