Hi everyone,
The lower core support is rotted on my 96. I don't have the time or the skills to do the job myself, so I got two estimates thus far. The first came in at $680.00 and the second at $730.00. I will get a few more, but they are both close. Can I expect to pay much less? Do you think the above prices sound fair?

Thanks,
Zack

 

At a body shop, that is not a bad price.

 

When I got this done I bought the OEM lower radiator support from Daveb (about 150 shipped) and then got labor estimates. I would highly suggest doing this, since you are getting the part at a discount, plus the mechanics won't be marking it up. I got mine done for $300 in labor.

 

I got a few quotes to have this done a couple of years ago. They were anywhere from $375 to $1375. Ended up getting it done for about $700. Price for labor can vary greatly depending on where you live and who you have do the job. Lowest price is not always the best deal.

 

Remember when you are getting the job done to get the OEM replacement or else you will be sorry later!!!

 

$680 (part and labor) at a body shop using OEM support.

 

Yes, the estimate was using a new Nissan part with labor included for $680.00. Both shops show the exact same cost on the part, $180.00.
They both said the A/C system had to be evacuated and recharged, and the radiator had to be drained..
So $680.00 sounds like a decent price?
Zack

 

Radiator and A/C system drained?? They are filling your head with nonsense. None of that has to be done. The guy at my shop was able to change the entire support without doing either one. You are only doing the lower so that is not needed.

 

That I did not know. That is interesting.

Zack

 

I can see why they said the radiator; that is if they intended to remove it to clear up space to work.

But the A/C compressor is a whole load of bs and I would really question why in the world you would have to do that...

 

More like condenser but regardless neither one of those two have to get done.

I've replaced 6 core supports and never have I had to drain the radiator or A/C system...

On the other hand, parts and labor with OEM for 680 is pretty damn good... I went to a reputable shop here in Chicago and brought the part in straight from Nissan and he wanted nearly 1200 in just labor!

 

It's not a hard DIY

I've done 2, no need to remove AC or radiator parts.

The only suckass part is removing the spot welds, the OEM piece fits right in.

The only thing I would do is rust proof the OEM piece before putting it back in or it will be rusting the same way in no time.

 

I think the support rusts due to mosture getting into the support and not having a way to get out. It rusts from the inside not the outside.

 

maybe drill a few holes along the bottom fo water to get out. Where does the water get in from?

 

I just checked mine and mine is also rusted. I think it gets in from the holes that are there and can not escape, crappy design if you ask me and while i'm thinking about it with all the rusted lower rad. support threads i have read why not as a group get Nissan to pay for it. I don't know about anyone else but thats's the only place i have rust and it looks as if rusted from the inside this is bs that we all are having the same problems and not olny the 4th gen. it;s happening to the 5th gen too and why only the rad. support this is like the Toyota rusted frames. Sorry guys just ranting cause i love my car and it sucks to have to shell out for this kind of repair.

 

I had my rad support replaced last summer and did not have the A/C drained and recharged. A month after replacing the support my A/C stopped working due to a leak. Now I'm getting my A/C recharged and trying to find out where the leak is.
For those getting the rad support replaced, I know its not necessary to drain/recharge the A/C or flush the rad, but make sure the body shop knows what they're doing.
I'm fairly certain the technician working on my car poorly supported the rad and condenser resulting in a leak in one of the lines.

 

Well I just picked up my 96 Maxima from the body shop this afternoon after having the lower core support replaced. The total bill was $630.00 (parts (OEM Part) and labor). The quality of the work looks top notch, and everything on my car is put back together very neatly. They also detailed the car before I picked it up. They did remove the AC condensor and radiator to do the job. They claimed that if they left the condensor in place it would stress the AC lines, so it is much safer to simply remove it. If you are in NJ and need a good shop to do the work, you can PM.


Zack

 

7-900 bucks labor included is what i payed.