Howdy All!

Just got back from Iraq a couple of months and took a look at my car my Wife has been driving. I've noticed a bent bracket underneath the car near the muffler that goes into the engine. It's bent, but not sure what the purpose of the bracket is or what it holds. I've attached photo's below and looking for anyone to identify what it is...and possible post a photo of what it's suppose to look like.

It appears as if it's suppose to be straight, but if so...it would hang down.

Anyhelp would be greatly appreciated on this...thanks!

Jimbo

 

Is it an auto? If so then it looks like the engine mount air guide.

 

Nietzsche....Sorry I didn't specify that before...it is a automatic transmission. So it's an air guide? Do you buy chance have an automatic and can take a picture of what it's suppose to look like? Or anyone for that matter....any on Maxima.org...can you take a picture of your automatic 2005 Maxima SE or SL (don't think it makes a difference...needs to be an automatic) so I can see how this guide is suppose to be.

I'll then bend it back. Does it normally hang down? From the looks of it...it does not have scratches...so I'm wondering how it got bent?

Thanks Nietzsche...any pics you can provide if you have an auto would be great, or anyone on Maxima.org.

Jimbo

 

I don't know what it is but I do want to welcome you back home.

 

Thanks Ramberg...you probably don't remember me...but I asked you a bunch of questions about the chrome strips on the bumper prior to me leaving for Iraq in about July 2005.

Do you have an automatic? Maybe you can take a pic under your engine area near the mufflers coming into the engine...this is where that bracket is at. I guess I can bend it back...but don't know what it looked like before. Never knew I had a engine mount air guide...

Jimbo

 

Can anyone post a picture of their 2005/2006 Maxima (auto) car...in the area under the engine, towards rear of the engine by the Y-pipe for the muffler?

I'm trying to figure out how to bend this bracket (or air guide) back without having to go to the dealership.

Thanks ahead of time!

Jimbo

 

MAJ JIMBO,

First of all welcome home, and thank you for your service!

I have a 2004. That bracket on my car got caught on a wire basket that
I couldn't avoid on the expressway. By the time I could safely pull over, the bracket was bent down, and almost touching the ground. I think it is a heat shield, as I could not tell that is was holding anything up. I got a rubber mallot, and banged in back so it was level with the bottom of the engine.
That was about 10K miles ago, and I havn't had any problems.

Good Luck!

MC

 

MC...by chance, can you take a picture? Still trying to figure out how it's suppose to go. Is it a heat shield for the Y-pipe maybe? As soon as I figure out how this thing is suppose to be bent back, I'm going to go to the Auto Shop on the base and use there car lift to bend it back...thanks!

Jimbo

 

Yes I remember you and am glad that you are back. I don't know if these will help. I had these taken when I had the CE y-pipe installed.

 

First off welcome back!!
Here's a pic from the y-pipe sticky as well

 

Ramberg...

Thanks for the pics. I did check out your CarDomain website and did see this...sorry that I didn't mention that. The second picture...do you have that in a higher resolution you can email me separately? The bracket in question is just to the right of the Y-Pipe. Hard to tell where it's at in the picture cause it's dark in that area, and you have the pipe modified...not sure if it's even there. Can you pop a quick photo underneath your car in that area?

I did contact a person I know who is a Nissan mechanic...but no reply yet.

**If anyone else can take a photo of the area near the Y-pipe of the bracket in question above...I would REALLY appreciate it. Want to get it back to normal before it snows again here in Colorado. If the snow is deep and ice's up on the road...this hanging bracket is going to act as a snow scoop.

Thanks all!

Jimbo

 

I don't have a pic but I, too, wanted to welcome you back from Iraq. Thanks for your service.

 

Thanks BadBlackMaxSL...it's nice to be back and being able to drive my Max! The military Humvee's (M998) is a robust vehicle, but no fun to drive around in. Plus it's nice to be back in an environment where people are trying to lob mortars on me and my Soldiers!

Thanks!

Jimbo

 

I'm doing motor mount and a y pipe on Monday/Tuesday. If you can wait that long I'll get some good pics.

 

I had a good look at that bracket when my car was having a rattle exhaust. I think it looked just like that as I wondered if I hit anything that could bend the bracket that bad. But it must be designed that way, 'cause I didn't remember hitting anything and now yours looks just the same. I don't have the bracket anymore after the dealer replaced the catalyst converter. Either they forgot or they thought it bent and wouldnot be covered under warranty. I didnot find out until later and havenot had a chance to go back and nag. And ... don't think your wife caused that.

 

Hey MaxFan and Nietzsche...first, it was pretty bent. My Wife said the only thing she heard as far as grinding noises was going over hard ice and snow in the Winter of 2005 when I was in Iraq. I don't think that would bend it. I also wonder if the dealership somehow bent it when they put it on the left using the sway arms that may have snagged it and then they put it up on the lift. It has a unique bend and no scratches to indicate hitting a curb, road debris or anything else.

Was not sure what it's purpose was till I got an email from a Nissan mechanic I know. It's purpose is air scoop as previously mentioned to catch road debris like bags and such so they don't collect, melt on the muffler/Y-pipe.

Either case folks...I got my car up on a 2-ton lift last night and bent it back as I previously went to the delearship and checked out a 2006 Max. It's a scoop that faces forward. It's in the shape of those hand-held triangular ice scrapers. It curves down between the Y-pipe and transmission to form a scoop. It's only bolted on the upper portion with a bracket on the lower.

Appreciate the assistance and Nietzsche, please do post a picture for the Max folks to see of the scoop...might help someone else in the future as I had no idea what it was suppose to look like.

Happy Thanksgiving all!

Jimbo