I just somehow noticed that mine is almost completely rusted through, right where the cross bar meets the radiator support. I say quick fix as in can I either fill up the rusted spot with something or try and strengthen it with a new piece of metal? Im about to just seal it up with concrete...

But seriously I dont want to have to go to the junkyard and get a new one if there is a clever solution someone else has.

Car has been in upstate new york all its life, all the salt and terrible winters are finally taking its toll...

Ill take pics if necessary but I think we can all imagine it.

 

Yea man I can't find the smiley but "this thread is worthless without pics" lol

 

I have seen what rust damage can do to the rad supports and the only thing to do is completely replace it before things let go and you have a much larger expense.
Here are few pictures just to let you see how bad it may look once you get your bumper off, these are pictures of a friend of mine with a Max same year as yours, its a wonder how his engine was supported with all this rust.





removed:



New Rad support installed:



So in short don't spent a lot of time thinking about this repair ... just do it and start enjoying your ride again.

 

I'm in your boat. I've got ES motor mounts waiting to go in but I'm afraid when I try to remove that mount the lower rad support (which the motor mounts bolt onto), is going to crack or something.

 

Damn mine isnt that bad all the way around but it is to the same degree right where the crossbar meets like I said. Its actually the exact point where that middle piece of metal from the hood latch comes down and meets.

And progress I cant believe I never caught mine, or rather I was so scared to even look...
I actually had all new mounts put in a few months ago, Im suprised the two bolts even went back in and the thing didnt fall apart. Especially considering the guy had to use some strong *** shop tools to get the rusted bolts out to begin with...


So how much will a new support run me...?

 

My friend purchased a new OEM rad support from the dealer ship that was 300.00 and the shop that did the install was approx. 8 hours doing everything, His total was was $600.00 for the whole job.

 

The easiest fix here is to replace it. No ways around rust dude. Maybe try have it sprayed with bed-liner before you re install everything back. Maybe that will protected it more.

 

$300 is way to much. You can get one for under 100 shipped. I'm pro OEM parts but in this case, it's just a radiator support and aftermarket will be fine. Spray it with bed liner before you re-install it and it will hold up better to rust. Here.. Sell ends in 1 day so you might want to hurry up.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=33645

 

Thanks for the heads up.

I can get the bumper off in apprx 10 minutes so thats not an issue. Im assuming I need to prop up the engine as well? And of course the radiator..

How hard of a job would you guys say this is? I feel like that 8 hrs you mentioned is way too much even for a more nooby mechanic like myself.

 

Oh **** I just looked at that link its all one piece? I thought you just replace the bottom bar...

 

This thread states that the upper radiator shroud is different than the lower radiator support (part of the subframe).

http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...t-bracket.html

 

I can't tell by the picture, but does that part have this part where the motor mount cross member bolts onto as in these pics?

http://forums.maxima.org/4th-generat...sting-out.html

 

Not too hard. You have to drill out the spot welds that hold the support to the body. After that it comes off. You drill new holes in the new support, kind of where the old ones were and have it welded back in place, done with that! Now re-install everything back on. You will also need some chisels and hammers to separate some stubborn metal if you need to. There will be some small things I left out but you get the idea.

I would not removed it until you have the new one so you have an idea of what needs to come off, like a guide.

 

I guess Ill spray something in mine before it starts to rust.Any other common rust areas besides the rear wheelwells?

 

OP, like they said ,nothing much you can do but cut it out and weld one in.

 

Yeah I'm going to hit up a junk yard in the next few months and see whats up.