Hey guys , any suggestions on fixing this without replacing?
there is only a hole in the middle and its not that big
thanks

 

Lower radiator support needs replaced. I've got to get mine done as well.

 

How much did you pay, labor/parts?

Which part did you use?

thanks

 

I haven't had it done yet. The quote I got from a body shop that I use was around $700, and that's using a factory OEM lower radiator support which was quoted around $200.

 

Do not install an aftermarket lower radiator support when it gets replaced.

 

just b/c it doesn't look that bad on the outside it doesnt mean that its not shot on the inside... Last November mine looked like new... Now the rust that was working on the inside is outside... replace with an oem and be done

 

Replace with OEM and spray it down to prevent it from happening again.

 

alright thank you!

 

Heard the aftermarket ones are thin as hell. Let us know how it goes.

 

For those of you who has done the repair yourselves. Is the replacement bolt on or you need to weld it on? In other word will I be able to do it if I don't have access to a welder?

 

The lower radiator support as far as I know for 4th gens (5th gens are similar) is that they are riveted/spot welded in. Those would have to be cut out and the new support welded in. I have seen pictures and some video clips of the work, and there's quite a bit of labor involved. If you aren't handy with this type of work it can take you a day or two doing it by yourself unless you have a mechanically inclined friend or two help you out.

If you are in doubt about tackling this kind of work, go to a few body shops and get quotes with OEM factory replacement parts. Almost all body shops around here back up their work as long as you own the car. And if you decide to sell the car at some point, you'll have peace of mind that it was done right, because good Karma goes a long way. No one wants to buy a car with halfazz body work done to it. Not saying that you would do that, of course, just saying that to make a point.

 

getting the old one out is more time consuming than difficult. Theres something like 48 spot welds which need to be drilled or cut out.

It took me about 2 and a half days start to finish working on it off and on thoughout the course of those days.

Theres no doubt that it sucked but there is no doubt that its doable. Once you start to drill out the spot welds you will get the hang of it.

 

48 spot welds? This means you replaced the entire support assembly then? The lower piece can be replaced separately and does not require that much spot welds..

 

http://forums.maxima.org/4th-generat...ment-pics.html

 

I believe there were some folks here on the forum who could reattach the cross member by cutting the bad part out and welding in angle iron....

 

I only replaced the lower radiator support. The entire support has many more spot welds.

 

thanks for the pics man ! appreciate it

 

just to clarify to readers, there are no rivets, only spot welds.

 

Ok thanks. Wasn't sure which one at that time.

Pics of my repairs I just had done...

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...6243918&type=1

 

Hey on my old 97 the lower support was rusted so bad that the center member broke free and wasn't bolted in the front. I went to a scrap yard got a 1/4" flat steel plate and had a shop cut it out and weld in the peice of steel. They made it so I could still use the bolts for future removal.

 

cheap alternative with this angle iron. You may try to find one wider and longer to fit your need. Drill 2 holes for engine harnesses and holes for hood locking mechanism. This is a temporary fix so you can save some more money toward a new car. I laugh at OEM quality since it is in the first place causing this problem on almost every 4th gen max.