oK guys ive used the search option so dont bash me please, my lower radiator support is SMOKED right at the crossbrace or whatever it is, obviously it needs to be replaced,which is easier to do,replace the lower support or replace the entire support,which is easier to do time isnt something i worry about all i would like to know is what is easier and is there anyone on here in the mass/ct area that could do this fairly cheap thats done it before? By fairly cheap i mean i dont really want to pay 600 in labor to get this done....My buddy can do it but i prefer someone here thats done this before to do it if possible and i need a FAST turn around as this is my DD

 

well it is ur car and by living up there it is subject to salt etc. Take it to a professional so it can be done right the fisrt time and make sure it is coated in some kind of metal coating protectant. good luck

 

upper and lower is one big piece . take it to a body shop, even up here in canada where things are uber expensive it's only a 400 dollar job

 

yeah plus the cost of the part...i called 3 places around here today and got qouted just labor at 1000 the highest and 785 the lowest so far...i was like WTF im not asking to change the engine just the rad support

 

More reason for owners in the salt laden states to check this bracket and prevent rusting.

 

lol i agree but its getting something before it goes on the car along with whatever else i can do while the nose is off

 

the lower part from the dealer is 178 bucks. add to that taking off the bumper, lights, lower splash shield, raditor, condenser, dscharging and recharging the freon, refilling the coolant and you can see why it quickly gets up there. chances are your bumper brackets are toast too, so buy them now instead of later, theyre like 9 bucks each.
you can change it with an aftermarket one and save 80 bucks, but its not a huge break.

it can be done without taking out the rad/condenser, but if you slip while cutting the old one out you'll need them too. plus access to weld the new one from behind

 

Style, im in the same boat as you...was doing a coolant flush today and noticed mine is beat! My mom had something done to hers (97 Max) and it cost like 300....but i havent seen how it looks now but i know it was damn near completly gone....im probably gonna have to go to the place she did i just dont have 300 laying around...ughhh idk

 

i changed mine last weekend. it took me about 8 hrs start to finish

 

welcome to the world of the nissan maxima after 120K miles. just had mine replaced also. around $400. nothing else you can do guy, it sucks. my mechanic said he wouldnt have driven the car over 50mph in the shape it was in

 

Welcome to the club...Just did mine as well. It's doable but a PITA. Just replace the bottom half unless there is rust on the top, though I doubt that will be a problem.

You can probably get it done for about $400 if you really shop around and with painting it should take a day and a half.

It's going to cost you about half that amount in parts to do it yourself.

Not to thread jack, but did anyone else have stalling in reverse issues with this problem, if so, what was the culprit?

 

where do you guys find these supports??? Every site i look on they say taht they are black plastic??? Where do i find the good ones?

 

Courtesynissan.com if you want to order online, or the dealer.

 

I'm having all that done next week- the upright support as well as the horizontal beam below the radiator. Guy is charging me ~600 total for part, labor, and also touching up a couple minor body rust areas.

The middle portion of the lower beam was totally gone on mine...radiator still seems stable, but obviously this was a bad sitiuation! Will be glad to have it taken care of.

 

Your local body shop will be your best bet. The saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth...

 

they dont sell the lower section for the i30 anymore.. i just tried to buy it and was told its no longer avail for from nis. of north america.

 

i guess an aftermarket one isnt that bad after all huh?