This past week, I got into a minor fender bender. Unfortunately a fender bender with an SUV means my car slid under his bumper, rather than bumping it. I need to know how to remove 97 honda accord radiator support. My hood, bumper, headlights, grill, and radiator support will have to be replaced. The radiator is fine, no leaking or overheating. My only question is how do I remove the radiator support that was bent back. I know on older cars they had it welded to the frame. I think the newer ones are just bolted on. I'm having a little trouble finding any info on it online.

Does anyone have any links or a youtube video on how to do it?

 

I posted in another thread about this... I jumped my 97 over an intersection thus when i landed i broke the transaxle case (split in half) and bent the core support back and up. Its spot welded in place so i fixed it by cutting out the original core support and replacing it with 2x2.083 wall square tubing steel. So your only options are to try and bend it back, go to a junk yard and cut off a good one and put it on your car, fab your own, or take it to a shop and pay them to fix it.


Posted from Honda-tech.com App for Android

 

Sigh.... Why do they have to weld all those in place?...

hmmm... I guess I'll have to see if I can pull it out...

So that whole front end that the hood latch and radiator are mounted to is welded to the subframe?

 

Here's some photos...

 

Yeah its all welded together. I don't see any pictures. Maybe because I'm on my phone but i have never had a problem with it before


Posted from Honda-tech.com App for Android

 

Here is the breakdown of the individually spot welded parts in the front bulkhead.



The part you are showing is No.3 in the above image! It would be spot welded to parts 2, 7 & 12.

The spot welds that can be easily removed with a spot weld cutter, or carefully drilled out with an appropriately sized drill bit.

 

You guys can't see the images? I may have to repost it then...

 

have you done frame work before, and can you weld?

 

Anyone on a computer can see the images just fine... They are a bit on the large side, that may be why some of the phone apps won't show them. I don't surf on my phone so I couldn't tell you why some can't see them for sure though.

 

Nope, I've never done welding or frame work. I took it to a couple small body shops and they quoted me about $100 to pull the frame out the 2-3" I need to have it line up with a new hood. Does that sound good to you guys, or what do you think?

 

dude 100 bucks aint bad. I would drop the 100 bucks rather than deal with cutting it up and replacing. You can also do it your self (i have). Just chain it to another truck, around the tow hitch and hold the brakes in your car and use the truck to pull it out, A hammer will do the finishing touches. Don't use chain though if you can avoid it. Use a towing strap (more surface area)

 

Even better option would be a set of 1/2 ton come a longs or chain falls and a couple 4' chokers/nylon straps. Even a ratchet strap would be better than a 200+hp truck and your brakes. Using a hand held lever you will have complete control over how much torque you are applying and how far you pull it out.

It will take away that not so good gut feeling that you would get while relying on a 2,800lb truck to pull on a 1lb piece of sheet metal.

 

what GhostAccord said. I agree completely.

 

I had the same problem and took mine to a body shop and had mine pulled out and sorta lined up. But I'll be putting a new one in soon because tbh its ugly when you pop the hood lol

 

A new Honda Accord, or a new front end?

 

Well, it's nice to make contact with you guys (8 mos. late). I had a similar experience. I have a '96 show car. Rain, man in front made rear end contact, I braked but wheels locked up and I hydroplaned under his rear bumper. Small damage other than crumpled hood. Air bags were quiet and no steam. I was able to drive away. Damage was radiator/condensor support and left headlight. I thought those bar supports were bolted, but I found the welds. I have considered drilling out the welds, but I am not sure how difficult it will be to chissel apart the joined pieces even after the welds are out. (Similar procedures on other cars was still a mess.)
Also, the left headlight support appears to be a part of the uni-body. So, I am now thinking about getting a "donor", and cutting out the part to be put into mine. The diagram post showing weld points is helpful.
BIG PROBLEM: Are there many 94-97's in the junk yards? (I'm about 180mi. from Dumfries.)