Hey Guys, my radiator core support is rusted pretty good in spots and I'm considering replacing it along with the other stuff I'm doing. I see there are a number of spot welds that need drilled out in order to remove it. What is the best way to fasten the new one? Do you spot weld it like the original? I don't have a spot welder. But I do have a MIG welder. The spot welds are nice because they can exist out in the field of the metal and aren't relegated to just the edges. Any suggestions are much appreciated. Thanks. Oh yeah, I found a replacement core support on Ebay for about $100 and free shipping. Does anyone know of a better deal than that? That looked pretty good to me.

 

I have an '02 and just made an appointment yesterday to get the radiator support frame replaced. It will cost $1500.....Spoke with the guy and it's a lot of work to remove and replace. A new frame alone is $900...Don't have much choice cause the rust on it is really bad. The tranny cooler is just about hanging on. Nothing left to bolt to!! He told me mine was the 5th one in the last few weeks.

The frame is welded and bolted. So it is time consuming to remove and replace. I just don't have the tools to do it!

 

1 or 2 guys have done the repair on this site. I believe within this forum as well.

Yea, allot of them rust out there, - surprised my 98 hasn't yet. Yea you have to weld it in. Takes a little practice with a Mig for 16 gauge... Or thinner lol. Tig would be a little easier IMO.

 

Yeah, mine is rusted out pretty good. I'm trying to coordinate things so that after I remove the core support, I can then pull the engine and tranny in one piece right out the front. Then do all the work I plan to do to them and put them back before putting in the new core support. My biggest problem thus far has been removing some of the old spot welds. I think I need to get a special drill bit for them. Some of them come out just fine; others are tougher than #$@* and don't budge. I see they make special drill bits that actually drill out around the spot weld; I think I will need to get one. I figure when I put the new core support in, I'll MIG weld in each of the holes created removing the old spot welds.

 

1500$, damn I was quoted 600$. Where are you buying the rad support? Its ony 200$ from Rockauto or CrossCanada. Im doing my myself, its not hard. Just make sure you preweld a bar to keep the inner fenders square.
Ive replace a few in my time.