anyone have to replace one? the ek hatch i just bought needs a radiator support, passenger headlight and fender, hood, lower control arm and then im ready to start on it!

 

Not sure what you're asking?

 

The radiator support isn't hard to change, get a spot weld drill bit from harbor freight and drill out the spot welds holding it on, then weld on the new one.

I would suggest having your frame checked to see if it is bent with all those damaged parts you have to replace

 

There are several spot welds on the core support where it meets the rest of the car, several on the "frame rails" a couple up by where it meets the fenders, find a spot weld remover bit and drill them out, then it should come out with a little bit of persuasion, be careful not to damage the mating surface on the frame rails , after you get this off you should be able to re-weld a new one on.
If you have a LKQ or Keystone close to you, you should be able to pick up a brand new core support for like 75 bucks, fenders should be between 40 and 75 depending on which level fender you want same with the headlights...
Pretty easy and straight forward process you should be able to accomplish within a day.
If you have to however, you can bolt the core support on temporarily until you find someone with a welder. I have done this several times and it is the same process every time.

 

thanks guys, hey adam, bolting it on as a temp sounds good, anymore insight on that one?

 

Only bolt it on to check fitment with the rest of the cars panels. Then weld it up when it's centered.

 

Bunch of spot welds.

Take your time doing it. Make sure you have all parts/panels on and lined up where you want them before welding it in!


Another tip, HONDA CORE SUPPORT! Used or new it doesn't matter. Aftermarket core supports are flimsy as hell and never fit right. I learned the hard way.

 

the bolts are literally just supposed to hold it till you can either weld it or tow it to someone who can, it is not recommended to drive it with it bolted in... like Marvin1985 said, only there to center it and check fitment, i have had good luck with the Keystone Radiator supports but always get one local because if there is a problem with it you can just go down and swap it out, never order online unless you are ordering from hondapartsnow.com because those are oem honda parts.... its really up to you

 

so the ones at lavons are garbage?

 

if the impact bar is still bolted on, how crucial is the actual radiator in this case as far as driving the vehicle saaaaaaaaaaaay.... 3 miles?

 

I changed a radiator support on a EK hatch.

1.) Take measurements, it is CRUCIAL, locate the front end vehicle measurement points, A tape measure will be suffice.
2.) Max tolerance is 3(+)(-)mm. If it is beyond that, I recommend you remove the front end parts, call AAA and have a body shop do an alignment pull, to ensure the body is straight and the parts will align proper.
3.) Remove the spot welds using a drill bit.
4.) Compare the old rad. support with the new one.
5.) Grind off old paint from spot weld locations. *NOTE: You cannot emulate factory spot welds because the location of the weld and a portion of the metal has been drilled outwhen remove the rad. support. You must MIG weld.
6.) Apply etching primer for corrosion protection, then primer, base then clear.

This is a compacted set of instructions so you can determine where you are in the repair process.

- If the impact bar is damaged, REPLACE it, you cannot straighten, temper, repair UHSS or HSS - ultra high strength steel/ high strength steel