How to: Radiator support on life support.... fixed!
#1
I'm nutty for Nissans
Thread Starter
iTrader: (46)
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Maine
Posts: 10,365
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.
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.
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.
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.
Time to put the rest of the car back together.
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.
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.
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.
Time to put the rest of the car back together.
#9
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.
#12
I'm nutty for Nissans
Thread Starter
iTrader: (46)
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Maine
Posts: 10,365
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
Continental ExtremeContact DWS 235/45/17. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....emeContact+DWS
#13
I'm nutty for Nissans
Thread Starter
iTrader: (46)
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Maine
Posts: 10,365
Thanks I worked my *** off last summer on it.
http://forums.maxima.org/8140834-post199.html
http://forums.maxima.org/8290430-post206.html
http://forums.maxima.org/8140834-post199.html
http://forums.maxima.org/8290430-post206.html
Last edited by JSutter; 05-22-2012 at 01:30 PM.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
hez8813
5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003)
11
03-12-2020 12:06 AM
Dennis Twohy
1st & 2nd Generation Maxima (1981-1984 and 1985-1988)
0
10-01-2015 06:01 PM
Hdnseek
5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003)
3
09-09-2015 05:55 AM