Is the bottom radiator support part of the radiator?
or
Is the bottom radiator support a seperate part.

I ask cause my mechanic said its rusted pretty good, but I didnt ask if he knew if it was part or not part of the radiator.

And if it is part of the radiator, would a aftermarket radiator have the support bracket on it?

2000 GLE maxima 135,000

 

This REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION directions from the repair manual makes it sound like the mounting brackets are seperate. See below.

NFLC0023
1. Remove under cover.
2. Drain coolant from radiator.
3. Disconnect radiator upper and lower hoses.
4. Remove radiator shroud.
5. Remove A/T oil cooler hoses. (A/T models only)
6. Disconnect reservoir tank hose.
7. Remove radiator mounting bracket.
8. Remove radiator.
9. After repairing or replacing radiator, install any part removed in reverse order of removal.

But I think you mean this?

http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/de...3QQNS2129.html

 

The bracket the above post refers to is the upper mounting bracket that hold the radiator in place.

The bottom radiator support the OP is referring to is part of the radiator support assembly. They rust out where the lower subframe attaches to it. A very common problem with 4th gens. It's a completely seperate item and is part of the front chassis sheet metal.

 

it is part of the subframe.. you can buy the piece and solder in a new piece..... it is going to cost a few bucks to make that repair.

 

^^ *weld

 

Hey I know there was a guy on here that had pictures of how he fixed it. If anyone knows his name or has pictures of what they did pm me please. Mines rusted pretty bad all the way through and Not sure exactly what to do with it.

Should I just unbolt it... or pretty much pry it out, and then weld a few layers of sheet metal around it then bolt it back together? would that help at all or is there a stronger way?

 

Zax - here are a couple threads. They're in the 4th gen forum, but it's probably not much different.
http://forums.maxima.org/4th-generat...rt-rust-3.html

http://forums.maxima.org/4th-generat...st-pt-2-a.html

I'm about to do this too. Rock Auto seems to have the entire assembly for $63.79?
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/rafr...2&parttype=812

Someone on ebay is selling just the lower part for $169 (buy it now)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...3AIT&viewitem=

Is the price difference just because of OEM vs aftermarket? I'm not sure which way to go.. I only need the lower part.

 

It's a collision part, aftermarket will be fine. Save your money.

 

This 4th Gen thread may be of interest. It shows what I, and some others opted to do. I patched mine up because it was still about 50% good. I hear replacements run about $700, mostly labor, but don't take my word for it. Unfortunately, the infamous 4th Gen lower radiator supports were carried over to 5th Gen's.

http://forums.maxima.org/4th-generation-maxima-1995-1999/577171-front-brace-rusting-out.html

 

$700?! You'd have to be an idiot to pay that much, even if parts/labor were combined.

 

Yeah.

So you guys that did this yourself just used a tig welder correct? And just put a few patches every now and then?

 

Did you read the 4th gen thread I recommended? The link showed up in a hard-to-read shade of purple so you might have missed it. The title is, "Front brace rusting out" and the link is...

http://forums.maxima.org/4th-generation-maxima-1995-1999/577171-front-brace-rusting-out.html

In that thread, 2Dmax posted the following, "Just an update, got a quote from the local dealer (Clay Auto Body, Newton) to have the lower tie bar replaced, $760. Getting it done tomorrow before something more happens!"

That's where I remembered the price from. There's some good pictures in that thread too. Eventually, your engine could be swaying in the breeze if you ignore the rust too long. That brace supports more than your radiator.

 

So is this also spot welded in on the 5th gens ? mine is getting pretty bad and i want to replace it also.

 

From the dealer.....that's why

You can buy the lower part for 120 something. and then weld it in but will your everyday tig welder work for this?

 

I'd imagine so, it's just steel you're welding.

 

Hmm okay thanks. Guess I know what I'm buying next month

 

Or just take it to a muffler shop and give em a couple bucks to do it.

 

I was reading it and the guy said he put in 11 hours of work. 11 hour of work at a 'muffler' shop for welding, is not a 'couple bucks' by any means lol.

 

He meant to take it to someone just for the welding instead of buying a welder for 24" of welds. This job looks like 10.5 hrs of disassembly and reassembly, and .5 hrs of welding

 

Well I have a welder so that isn't my problem. And yes unless you are going to completely dissasemble it yourself then tow it to a shop to have them put it on. -shrug-

 

I guess I misunderstood when you said you knew what you were buying next month.. I thought you meant you were going to buy a tig welder. Anyway, I don't see a problem with towing it somewhere if it saves someone a few hundred bucks.
For people that don't want to do the welding themselves, I'm sure a small local welding shop would send someone out to do it if it's not far.

 

hey guys, just a little info on the part its called a (lower tie bar) i forget the part # ill find it later but the dealer close to me said i could get it seperet from the radiator support it was $124+shipping+tax when i priced it. but if you are one of the few of us that have a welder and want to do this cheap then i went to certifit and picked up a aftermarket radiator support for $69 + cutting blades for my saw thats a whole lot cheaper for me. i know some shops charge about $60 - 80 an hr for this plus parts

 

mines rust up pretty bad too.