Well, as many may know, I have recently discovered that my lower radiator cross member has finally succumbed to the dreaded tin worm.

Hopefully, this is day one of my journey to successfully repairing it with a suitable replacement.

Wish me luck, I think I will need it.

 

So, today I started the dismantling of the front end, and within a couple of hours I had removed the front bumper etc'

This was done on the driveway, and I hope to complete the rest of the work in the garage, hopefully.

 

I have reached the point where I am unfamiliar with most of the critical items that now stand in my way, and would seriously appreciate some advice as to how I should proceed.

 

First question/concern that springs to mind is... Can I continue successfully with the car being in the garage?

The last thing I want to do is get half way through the strip down only to find that I do not have the correct access.

The car is drivable at the moment, but once I start taking various parts off she will become immobile.

 

Your help and advise would be very much appreciated.

 

Please see photo's attached...

Edited May 29, 20169 yr by redwine300

Hurry up........ it's like a book you just can't put down and waiting for the next in the series to see what happens.......lol

Looking great so far as I was expecting it to be.....:thumbup:

 

Will do Russ, just had a bit of a bad day today, faulty spot welds would you believe?

Not to mention that I can not get the lower bolts to line up.

Anyway, next chapter will be here soon.

Everything rots from the inside so allthough your going mental on the protection of this member its all in vain...get it welded in and put 2 cans of spray on grease inside the section and its going to last another 25 years.:yes: summers going to be over while your trying to stop it rotting:rofl::rofl::)

 

I know what you are saying znut and I agree with you. :yes:

Just thought I will only get this one chance to make it as protected as possible so may have gone a little overboard.

As for the inside? Agreed, I will be completely waxing the inside until it drips out of every orifice. (the crossmember that is, not mine.)

what's not lining up?

which way are the tie bar bolts out?

got any pics of the problem?

what's not lining up?

which way are the tie bar bolts out?

got any pics of the problem?

 

Not sure how to explain, but it is the two brackets that carry the tie rods, they bolt up to the underside of the cross member.

Front to back they seem okay, it's Left to right that is the problem. I would undo them completely from the tie bar but just can not undo the bl&&dy bolts. Hey ho, there is always tomorrow.

I will try and get some photo's tomorrow, just a bit fed up at the moment.

Chin up. I'm sure it's one of those where you have to take a step back and suddenly the penny drops.

Chin up. I'm sure it's one of those where you have to take a step back and suddenly the penny drops.

 

I hope so mate, I hate being despondent.

I think it will be a matter of getting a pry bar on the tie bar support and try and hold it in position whilst I insert the bolts.

Might have a night off tonight, as you say, take a step back.

I think I will open that box of Stella.

Might have a night off tonight, as you say, take a step back.

I think I will open that box of Stella.

 

That's the spirit!

 

That's the spirit!

 

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Brilliant! :lol::lol::lol:

WTF!

 

Thought it only right to notify the vendor of my issue with regards to the separated spot welds. :crying:

All things considered, it was very polite e mail, but making clear of my dilema at the same time. (I am happy to publish e mail if required)

Well I have to say the response was shocking to say the least, and I quote. :cursing:

 

" These are all original Nissan OEM, so that one, the next one, the one after that are all gonna be the same." :asshole:

 

I just could not believe it! Up until now I have spent the best part of $2,000 with them. :excl::no:

OEM Nissan or not they should look after there customers better mate.

WTF!

 

Thought it only right to notify the vendor of my issue with regards to the separated spot welds. :crying:

All things considered, it was very polite e mail, but making clear of my dilema at the same time. (I am happy to publish e mail if required)

Well I have to say the response was shocking to say the least, and I quote. :cursing:

 

" These are all original Nissan OEM, so that one, the next one, the one after that are all gonna be the same." :asshole:

 

I just could not believe it! Up until now I have spent the best part of $2,000 with them. :excl::no:

 

Who's the vendor?

So let me get my head on straight. The tie rod mounts won't mount up to the frame with the currently alignment. I think you need to unbolt the tie rod.

OEM Nissan or not they should look after there customers better mate.

 

Agreed mate!

 

I was gobsmacked to say the least.

Who's the vendor?

 

I did not say initially as I was unsure as to the correct etiquette.

I would be worried about being improper.

 

Happy to do so if that is okay with everyone.

So let me get my head on straight. The tie rod mounts won't mount up to the frame with the currently alignment. I think you need to unbolt the tie rod.

 

That's correct.

 

I think you are right Steven, I will soak the bolts overnight with plus gas and have another go.

I did not say initially as I was unsure as to the correct etiquette.

I would be worried about being improper.

 

Happy to do so if that is okay with everyone.

 

Don't see any problem mate.

Well after thinking long and hard about disclosing the vender, I have decided not to for the time being.

My hope is that through further correspondence, justice of some sort will prevail.

I have since replied to there rather curt reply expressing my feeling, and making it quite clear that I do not accept their comments and wish to elevate my complaint to the highest level.

Hopefully my faith in humanity will be justified.

Sadly, I have had to put the final welding of the crossmember on hold for the time being.

Reason for this is that through some lengthy correspondents, I have managed to elevate my complaint to Nissan themselves.

Unfortunately though, I will have to leave the negotiation between the Vendor and Nissan as they made the initial trade.

I can only hope that they hold my best interest at the forefront of their discussions.

If all else fails, I will suggest the part be called a manufacturing fault and suggest it becomes a factory recall. (see how they like them apples)

what's not lining up?

which way are the tie bar bolts out?

got any pics of the problem?

 

Sorry for the delay Russ, I've been tied up with the spot weld fault on the crossmember.

As promised, here is a picture of my dilema.

I have to say a big thank you to Slick Pete for his invaluable advice as to how to overcome the alignment, thanks mate.

I will post my results shortly along with a step by step guide.

Thanks to some improvisation and a copious amount of Plus Gas, the first tensioner rod was off. Phew.

Just a matter of repeating on the other side.

 

My plan from here on is to raise the car a little more so as to remove the wheels so as to take off any remaining tension.

Hopefully from there I should be able to trial a re fit in conjunction with the crossmember.

Well that's the plan anyway.

Tad-Dah!

 

I hate rusty bolts! Got them both off in the end though.

Be interested as to what the solution was. I take it you no longer have to send it back?

Hi Steven,

 

No solution as yet, I will not know what the outcome of my complaint will be until at least Monday.

I just thought I would use the time to figure out my alignment issues whilst I still had the faulty crossmember in place.

I guess I fear the worst, so thought I may as well carry on up to the point of actually welding the thing in, as I think I may have compromised things due to my prep work.

> As promised, here is a picture of my dilema.

 

I don't see the problem ...

As long as each tension rod bracket (with the tens. rod disconnected from the lower arm) line up to all 4 holes (2 in the lower support and 2 in the frame rails) there is no problem.

 

The reason why it doesn't line up correctly now is because of the tension rods (and tension rods are called just that for a reason)

Thanks Lymon.

 

Hopefully I will get time to bolt up the bracket to the crossmember and chassis rail without it being attached to the suspension arm today.

As you say, if I understand correctly, the issue will be move the suspension into the correct position so as to engage the 2 connecting bolts.

I guess it is my lack of my understanding that is the main issue.