Technical Radiator bottom support

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Technical Radiator bottom support

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Feb 25, 2013
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Hi looking for some advice the bottom radiator support has rotted through and now my radiator is trying to leave the car. Is it easy to replace myself or will it need to be put into the garage to be done. Any advice would be appreciated
 
Its a DIY Job

However - the Bottom Radiator to support leg mount bolts MAY be seized
So a good dose of penatration fluid or Heat (dont mix btw)

i vote heat
Will help get the bolts out
If its tight on removal
Rememeber Loosen - Tighten - Loosen some more - Tighten it up again

keep working it'll clean the threads as its removed
Before refitting the bolts i would give them a good wire wheel/brush and some copper slip on refitting

You may need to remove bumper - but i think its dooable without
remember to tie the radiator while its cold (whole car should be cold) To the slam pannel, as the radiator is sat on it :)

Parts - Cheapish @ 30smackers
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FIAT-PUNT...arts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item1c2aba5abc

Remove bolts and pull free from radiator - refit new - bolt up

But as i said im not sure if bumper will need removing - it may forwell help alot

Ziggy
 
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Like s and b said, did mine for about 20

The front wheel arch liners attach to it through self tappers and u nuts.
They'll probably need replaced. Size 8 will be fine.

Give it a few extra coats of paint or better underseal before reattaching.

I put a few spacers in to keep the support slightly away from the bumper, this prevents water from being trapped

Finally, lower bumper torx screws need undone. These will be the worst part
 
hardest part is usually extracting the radiator support pins out of their rubbers in the rail
be careful doing this as you can damage radiator really easy or it comes out too easy and you lose a tooth
 
You mean these pins;):


IMG_1552.JPG


The car's feeling a bit nude here.

As you can see, I didn't so much as have to take the radiator out, as take the bits of remaining support off the radiator.

If yours is as bad, a tarpaulin underneath will stop you getting nasty shards everywhere.

Also, you can see the point to the right where the wheel arch liner attaches.

When you're at it, and if you've got the time, give the chassis legs a new lease of life with a wire brush and some hammerite, then underseal.

I did it over a weekend on ramps, and took the time to semi-restore the front end.
 
You mean these pins;):


View attachment 119370


The car's feeling a bit nude here.

As you can see, I didn't so much as have to take the radiator out, as take the bits of remaining support off the radiator.

If yours is as bad, a tarpaulin underneath will stop you getting nasty shards everywhere.

Also, you can see the point to the right where the wheel arch liner attaches.

When you're at it, and if you've got the time, give the chassis legs a new lease of life with a wire brush and some hammerite, then underseal.

I did it over a weekend on ramps, and took the time to semi-restore the front end.

wow never seen a rail like that:eek:
 
Yeah mines as bad as that might even be slightly worse haven't seen it from underneath yet just from above have only had my mk2 sporting for a couple of months and who ever had it before me didn't look after it so am finding little probs as I go. Will follow all the advice you have all given me and will let you know how it goes.
 
Just to let those who gave me advice know how I got on ended up having to take the car to garage to have support replace as I could not get the the old support bolts out even after heating them. The guy in the garage only charged me 40 quid to remove the bolts replace the support and refit the radiator so it wasn't to bad. But once again thanks for all the advice given
 
Just to let those who gave me advice know how I got on ended up having to take the car to garage to have support replace as I could not get the the old support bolts out even after heating them. The guy in the garage only charged me 40 quid to remove the bolts replace the support and refit the radiator so it wasn't to bad. But once again thanks for all the advice given


sounds like a reasonable garage to me then

£40 for the work aint too bad!
One of the things i've been doing with my punto is just that
removing bolts now before they are stuck for life, removing / cleaning / anti seize back in

Done it for the supports mentioned, done others like Swivel hubs and Rear hub nuts too! Even Rear suspension bolts!


ziggy
 
Yeah I thought it a reasonable price for the work especially as the garage had to remove the bumper to get at the bolts and he even replaced all the bumper bolts with new ones as they were badly corroded as well.
 
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