I just boght a new complete Radiator Support for my 02 Accord Coupe. Should I even attempt to install this myself or am I better off taking it to professionals?

If I do it myself what all do I need toolwise?

If I take it to mechanics how much should I expect to spend it labor?

Thanks in advance for the tips!

 

isn't there an beam behind the front bumper that would make getting to the radiator support next to impossible?

 

pardon the crude image, it's over 3 years old.



the beam I'm speaking of (with the foam piece duct taped to it), can be undone with a 10mm socket.

remove the front bumper
remove the headlights
remove any brackets
remove the bumper beam
remove the radiator

now look to see what's holding in the bracket.

This is a pretty time consuming project. A good Saturday afternoon should be enough, but I can see the dealer charing $400+ for labor ... and of course who knows what they'll break in the process.

 

Well I got in a wreck where the bumper of the van I hit came in contact right above the bumper in the center... so everything in between the headlights (including the headlights) got messed up. the top beam of the radiator support got seriously bent to where its almost as far back as the battery.... the back part that's actually attached to the radiator is at a diagonal goign back with the top of it bent so right now there's a bunch of space in between the bumper area and the currently bent radiator support. It doesn't look complicated from just looking at it but I'm sure its more tha meets the eye...

 

Oh wow... thanks for the image and insight e3nine. I'm not used to doing much body work but I am mechinically inclined and a fast learner. I can figure things out by looking at them and I"m pretty confident I can put the new support in even though it may take a while.. I was wondering if there is any special tools I need....


also do u have any pictures directly from the front of the car?

And also... so that foam piece is actually supposed ot be TAPED to the bumper beam? I noticed that when i was checking out the damage when I got in this wreck and I thought the dealer I brought the car from (I bought it used) may not have told me some very necessary past history....

 

An investment in a Helms service manual would be a wise idea for this and future projects. The dealer would easily charge $400 for that, maybe more.

 

i dont think the piece of foam comes taped straight from factory. i know that i've personally put a few pieces of tape on there myself from when i had to remove my front bumper for several projects. you know, just to be safe and keep things a bit more sturdy. not that the piece of foam would do too much anyhow. or at least thats what im thinkin...

 

It fits into two holes in the support and thus does not require any tape.

 

I just taped the sh!t out of it so it wouldn't even think about moving. h:

 

if you have serious damage to the radiator support, even a new one might not line things up. You, most likely, have bent every nut and bolt holding that piece in.

If you swap out the support, you'll be mounting on mangled mounting holes. But ... it doesn't hurt to try and it's gotta be better than what you have.