How to: Radiator support on life support.... fixed!
 

Finally tackled the radiator support this weekend. I've had the part for 2 years now add had been putting it off. It was in rough shape to say the least.


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Removing the old part is not a big deal. Just drill out all the spot welds and use a hammer and chisel to separate the parts. If you dont have a air hammer good luck on some of the spots. Some places needed a relief cut to get better access to the spot welds. You can also see the tools needed to remove the support.

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Once the old rotten stuff is off, clean up the frame and surrounding areas. Grind everything smooth for a nice tight fit. Also prep the new support by marking and drilling holes then grind away the paint for welding. I made a jig out of wood to hold the support steady while I drilled the holes.

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Use weld though primer on the back sides and hidden areas that have been ground to bare metal. Fit the support, line it up, bolt and clamp it when you get it looking good. Weld away. Sorry, forgot to take pics of the welding. I used shielded wire since I was out of gas. After cleaning up the welds mask off the a/c condenser and what ever else you feel necessary to prime and paint.

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Time to put the rest of the car back together.

good write-up Jsutter! If I can recall, Rock auto has the supports for $49!

Nice work!

My advice about aftermarket supports is to avoid them. I had one in one of my cars and the damn thing was so thin it crushed and split open.

Go OEM

nice write up

Yup OEM all the way. Too many horror stories about the cheap ones self destructing in no time. Do it once, do it right.

Awesome writeup and pictures JSutter. :thumbsup:

That's awesome:thumbsup: I want your garage:)

DW

What tires are on your max?

Good job on the support.

for anyone planning on doing this...buy the OEM support from nissan. i did mine also a couple of weeks ago but i was in a collision along with all the rust so i had to replace the entire support. 38 spot welds in all!! wasnt to hard to do really if you have a pnuematic chizel and welding tools. good job, good write up. i took two piuctures the whole time i did mine...one of the rust and one without any support in it.

Nice job. I wish I had an air hammer/chisel when i did mine.

good job and write-up. How much was the oem support?

The part was $140 + $32 s/h. I bought it from Courtesy.

Continental ExtremeContact DWS 235/45/17. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....emeContact+DWS

Thanks I worked my *** off last summer on it.
http://forums.maxima.org/8140834-post199.html
http://forums.maxima.org/8290430-post206.html

What did yo uuse to paint the support? Regular spray paint? Looks like that support was replaced already from the original one.

If you got an aftermarket support you're in for redoing it.. Mine lasted a month before it simply split open.

The oem support costs a little over $150.

Yes and no.

things that should be used to protect your new nissan rad support: primer on bare metal + green/olive undercoating on the WHOLE thing + Cavity wax in all holes.

That couldn't have been the original original support that came with the car.

And why do you think that?

It was a thicker iron that was there. My friend has his original on still with 99K and the metal is much thicker and heavier and he has no rust....bastard..

Well I disagree seeing as I've owned my car since Jan 04. It was all original and rust free when I bought it. It is what it is.