Lower rad support + rad replacement
 

To make a long story short (just for you, @go_a_way1);

Last summer, living the low life, I drove over a raised watermain valve. It bashed in my lower rad support pretty good and ruined part of the under panel there. No big deal, everything still held. Now, this past weekend, I was putting new wheels on, had the front of the car jacked up. Got lazy and didn't use jack stands (:bonk::bonk::bonk:), car slipped off the jack partially, thankfully, the rad support bracket saved me from the wheel landing on my foot.

Result was: Rad support bracket is busted off the lower rad support (are these even the right terms?) and the rad support bracket stayed attached to the rad and dented it in at the bottom.

Sorry for the lack of pictures, car is parked at a friend's house and I don't feel like making the 2 minute drive to go and get pictures.

Now, obviously I need to look into getting replacement parts. My question is,to replace the lower rad support, do I need to weld it in? Ideally, I'd like to stay OEM with everything, but if the aftermarket solutions are going to be about the same price and superior in function, I'll look at getting them.

Next question is, what the hell are these parts actually called? So far, I've found this. And it looks like I need #10 in that diagram.

So, to buy:
1) New radiator
2) New lower radiator support
3) Support tab from lower support to radiator
4) ?????????

Tried searching, and haven't found a whole lot. pls halp

Edit: Car is an AT, in case that matters for aftermarket radiators

TL;DR lmao!
You will likely need to weld in new rad supports. Bodyshop will be able to get you one if the dealership is stupid and can't find it.

Secondly I believe it's much cheaper $200 or so to get a aftermarket rad like mishimoto.

The lower rad support needs to be welded in, you can buy the whole front end assembly from subaru for a pretty reasonable price (the guys crash a lot.... we replace these often)

@Cole ...........slowly ..... back away from your car ...... lay down your tools ....... pick up the phone ....... call a tow service ....... have it towed to a shop ....... have the shop fix it.


:popcorn:



humfrz

I really only need the lower part. It's around 87 bucks. The radiator is what I'm more curious about. I've found used replacements for around 100. But, I don't know if it's worth it to buy used and have one that leaks.

As it is now, there aren't any leaks, but it's a ticking time bomb. Maybe I'll invest in the @Mishimoto one, but the dollar is such garbage I'm kind of hesitant to do so.

Fortunately, it doesn't leak and is drivable. I'll be able to wait on the parts for a couple of weeks, then take it to a shop once I have everything I need for replacement.

Luckily I have another vehicle so I don't need to drive around with a rad that's ready to go.

I hit a raccoon which bent my AC condenser and radiator about 10 months ago. Koyorad makes a radiator that fits oem radiator stays (brackets) without any modifications for ~$300. Haven't had any problems with it yet, and it's larger than OEM. Install took me almost 8 hours with a basic socket and end wrench set. AND jacks stands haha good luck!

Ended up getting the @Mishimoto rad. That's what the shop I dealt with recommended.

Did some more looking at the car yesterday, I think I can hold off on replacing the lower support, but it will be on my to-do list for the coming year when I have the money to throw down on getting a quality job done.

I like your logic. If its busted, might as well upgrade lol. How much was an OEM rad going to set you back?

Around 350 if new, 80-120 for OEM aftermarket and OEM used ones.

The Mishi ended up being around 480 all in. So, a bit more than I wanted to spend, but I think the benefits of going with a bigger rad are worth it