Lower Radiator Support Repair

Topic: Lower Radiator Support Repair - 83TC (Read 2457 times) previous topic - next topic

Lower Radiator Support Repair - 83TC

December 17, 2006, 06:08:10 PM

I’m looking for some advice from an experienced body person to get me started on a little repair project. I have a couple of ideas but not exactly positive on the best way to do this.

The lower radiator support is pushed up as shown by the arrow in picture one. If it was accessible from the top I would just hammer/dolly the area but it’s boxed in as shown in picture two.

Any advice? I was thinking about cutting out the top flat section to gain access to the dent from the inside, hammer it out, then just weld the top piece back in and grind it flat.

Thanks in advance for any pointers.

(The pictures kind of make it look worse then it is)

Rod

Lower Radiator Support Repair - 83TC

Reply #1 – December 17, 2006, 06:19:29 PM

if you can find a way to fix that let me know, mine is much worse.

Lower Radiator Support Repair - 83TC

Reply #2 – December 17, 2006, 06:45:29 PM

Quote from: 88turbo;118940

if you can find a way to fix that let me know, mine is much worse.

Could be a common problem...might have to make it a 'How to'! if we get someone to help us!:)

Lower Radiator Support Repair - 83TC

Reply #3 – December 17, 2006, 07:16:37 PM

Mine also has extensive damage and rust.
It looks like somebody hooked a chain/hook onto it to pull the car about 10 years ago.

Lower Radiator Support Repair - 83TC

Reply #4 – December 17, 2006, 07:38:56 PM

Quote from: cougarcragar;118956

Mine also has extensive damage and rust.
It looks like somebody hooked a chain/hook onto it to pull the car about 10 years ago.

thats pretty much what mine looks like, I'll try to get a pic but I think its too dark out.

Lower Radiator Support Repair - 83TC

Reply #5 – December 17, 2006, 07:48:53 PM

Wow ok, now I dont feel so bad. My support looks just like all the rest. :)

Lower Radiator Support Repair - 83TC

Reply #6 – December 17, 2006, 07:50:31 PM

lol I thought I was alone too. guess its time to start a club :hick:

Lower Radiator Support Repair - 83TC

Reply #7 – December 17, 2006, 08:10:00 PM

Quote from: chri85tc;118968

Wow ok, now I dont feel so bad. My support looks just like all the rest. :)

mines pretty similar, If you could find a donor car you could cut the lower section off at the framerail and reweld it together or find a new core support and install it (i belive all fox cars are very very close if not the same)

it seems very common as people run over curbs etc over time is what causes them to look like the do.

Lower Radiator Support Repair - 83TC

Reply #8 – December 17, 2006, 08:23:18 PM

Dont worry about it. aslong as your rad sits where its supposed to it'll be fine.

These cars are long to they bottom out in dips, driveways etc and get beat up. I had a sprint where the lower rad support was pushed back 7" in the middle, chained it to a tree, a few quick tugs in reverse and the rad didnt hit the tranny anymore, Problem solved!

Of course you may want to be more careful if its a car you care about :p

Scott

Lower Radiator Support Repair - 83TC

Reply #9 – December 17, 2006, 10:30:08 PM

All Fox cars seem to share the same radiator core support. At the very least, we use a Mustang-spec support (p/n E8ZZ-16138-A). A few eBay stores have them new. Just food for thought.

Lower Radiator Support Repair - 83TC

Reply #10 – December 17, 2006, 10:56:36 PM

yeah im looking into the new suports for myself since i have a rust hole in mine and its tweaked a bit. not bad but bad enough to say screw it and go new. But in a few of the pix it looks like someone used it for a spot to jack the car up at and thats how the damage occored:beatyoass:

Lower Radiator Support Repair - 83TC

Reply #11 – December 18, 2006, 04:46:23 PM

Quote from: EricCoolCats;118994

All Fox cars seem to share the same radiator core support. At the very least, we use a Mustang-spec support (p/n E8ZZ-16138-A). A few eBay stores have them new. Just food for thought.

right click,, "save as"

I am going to rebend mine like below

find a large timber and lay it atop the cable of a typical comealong.
position the large timber like a parking curb along the front of vehicle
lay two decent wood ramps up on the timber
drive car up ramp till rad support is overtop the large timber
lay a short section 2x4 along top the damaged rad support
connect comealong hooks together and crank down until no slack
position jack stands under car (not lower control arms, on the frame)
use the comealong to crank down on bent area.
when top surface is flat again, a slap hammer/dent puller may be used on lower part

hows that sound?

Lower Radiator Support Repair - 83TC

Reply #12 – December 18, 2006, 09:16:56 PM

Wow....and I though I was alone in my pain! :) Didn't know this would result in a club! I guess when we come up with a solution it should become a 'How To'.

In my case, the top of the lower radiator support isn't pushed up much at all and the radiator sits OK. The bottom apparently just took a sharp hit and caved in the sheetmetal on the bottom. It's not a big deal but the bumper cover bolts up to it and will flex the cover if it's not straight.

I don't think I need to splice in a whole piece, just open up the top and hammer out the bottom but can see how this area can get beat up pretty bad.

Time to drill out spot welds and get hammered...uhhh I mean hammering!

Wonder how many donor car will suffer the same problem?

Lower Radiator Support Repair - 83TC

Reply #13 – December 18, 2006, 09:22:32 PM

Get a slide hammer and one of those pin welder things.. weld the pin to the dent.. slide hammer it out... then grind the pin off... simplest solution and no metal removed... you can pick up the gun that welds the pin to the body from harbor freight for like 75 bucks..

Lower Radiator Support Repair - 83TC

Reply #14 – January 01, 2007, 01:49:08 PM

Man that's cheap!! I bought one of the original "Spitznaugels" back in 1985. It was over $500! I love the thing as I hate to drill holes and weld them back up. There is another place to get replacement core supports. I'll look it up in my favorites listing and get the name and web site.