[ericreyn]

Got a denso and made to the point where you need to undo the bottom
Bracket and broke off one of the fan bolts. Also cannot loosen condenser bracket. The lower bracket is in terrible shape so will have to get new one. I also need 2 of those little condenser mounts, it has 236 stamped on it. Anyone know the part # off hand. I will have to cut those little phillips heads off to get those apart, the bolt is probable rusted in the bracket with the 236 stamped on it.

This is more of a pain in the arse than I thought. It almost seems if there was a hole thorough the bottom allowing you to get a socket on the bottom 2 radiator bolts there might be a chance you could lift it straight out. Has anyone had to change a rustbelt radiator and have any pointers on how to deal with the rusted mess at the bottom ?

 

[BillG]

I think I SEE those little "brackets" on the parts diagram, but the hot-link takes you to either the radiator cap or a gasket, depending on how you approach it. They seem to be called at as 16471A.

 

[DC_Dave]

Ahhh... yes, a rotted radiator support bracket. I remember it well.

I lucked out and got those condenser screws out with a penetrating oil soak and an impact screwdriver. You can hit the heads with a pencil torch to firm up the rust, but watch that condenser.

Upon reassembly, everything was sprayed down with fluid-film as it went back together. One thing I kept reminding myself was this was a XX year old car, and it doesn't have to go back together in showroom condition. Just good enough to get it XXXk more miles.

Good luck, and please let us know how it goes.

 

[G01Gody]

Looks like a big move, update how it goes

 

[ericreyn]

I had it all tore down that far and decided I wanted that bracket, the larger one anyway that the fans bolt to. The 2 smaller ones would be nice too but I doubt I will be able to get any. That is the part Bill but the fact that the resovour cap uses the same part # even on the diagram doesn't look good. I will make do somehow when the other part comes in. It kinda sucked having to put it all back together after getting that far. The second time will be way faster, I know what to remove now. At least I didn't drain the radiator yet, I wanted to see if I could get it out first.

And by the way if there were holes through the lower supports allowing you to get to the bottom 2 bolts would that allow the radiator to lift out without horsing around with that rotten bracket ?

 

[BillG]

I had it all tore down that far and decided I wanted that bracket, the larger one anyway that the fans bolt to. The 2 smaller ones would be nice too but I doubt I will be able to get any. That is the part Bill but the fact that the resovour cap uses the same part # even on the diagram doesn't look good. I will make do somehow when the other part comes in. It kinda sucked having to put it all back together after getting that far. The second time will be way faster, I know what to remove now. At least I didn't drain the radiator yet, I wanted to see if I could get it out first.

And by the way if there were holes through the lower supports allowing you to get to the bottom 2 bolts would that allow the radiator to lift out without horsing around with that rotten bracket ?

I would actually go in to a dealer or, at least, call a dealer about the parts#. They should be able to figure it out. Worse case, if they order the wrong part, you won't have to pay for it. A junkyard is also another option, especially if you're looking for bracketry.

 

[DC_Dave]

I had it all tore down that far and decided I wanted that bracket, the larger one anyway that the fans bolt to. The 2 smaller ones would be nice too but I doubt I will be able to get any. That is the part Bill but the fact that the resovour cap uses the same part # even on the diagram doesn't look good. I will make do somehow when the other part comes in. It kinda sucked having to put it all back together after getting that far. The second time will be way faster, I know what to remove now. At least I didn't drain the radiator yet, I wanted to see if I could get it out first.

And by the way if there were holes through the lower supports allowing you to get to the bottom 2 bolts would that allow the radiator to lift out without horsing around with that rotten bracket ?

I can't recall disturbing the condenser when we did the radiator. The radiator just sits on the radiator support in two rubber grommets and pulled right out without disturbing the bottom of the condenser (if I recall correctly).

 

[sixto]

It’s been a while but isn’t the condenser bolted to the radiator? Then the condenser has to be pulled away and possibly some brackets bent to allow the radiator to be pulled up. What I remember clearly is cursing some aspects of the design. Like condenser and radiator have extra attachments necessary for the assembly line, irrelevant for operation and in the way of easy servicing.

Sixto
‘04 LE FWD 202K miles

 

[ericreyn]

I would actually go in to a dealer or, at least, call a dealer about the parts#. They should be able to figure it out. Worse case, if they order the wrong part, you won't have to pay for it. A junkyard is also another option, especially if you're looking for bracketry.

I order everything online usually but yea i agree on that.
I did today and he said it couldn't be bought alone, it was part of another assembly. Maybe the lower support i just ordered ( yea right ) ?

I can't recall disturbing the condenser when we did the radiator. The radiator just sits on the radiator support in two rubber grommets and pulled right out without disturbing the bottom of the condenser (if I recall correctly).

Its does indeed seem to be bolted togather, it probably wont be after i am done. Any radiator i have ever changed just dropped down into some rubber locators.

It’s been a while but isn’t the condenser bolted to the radiator? Then the condenser has to be pulled away and possibly some brackets bent to allow the radiator to be pulled up. What I remember clearly is cursing some aspects of the design. Like condenser and radiator have extra attachments necessary for the assembly line, irrelevant for operation and in the way of easy servicing.

Sixto
‘04 LE FWD 202K miles

I had some choice words also when i realized it was bolted together . Auto designers are probably the most cursed at people on the planet.

 

[ericreyn]

I got the lower support in, those little "brackets " are part of the support.

It did not come with the 5m screws. I was able to get the other ones out but one I rounded off so bad I had too cut a slot in it and use a regular screwdriver.
One of the bottom radiators bolts broke off which would be the best case scenario.
The other side spun the nut so it had to be pulled with the support attached.
How it all goes back together will be tomorrow's episode.

⁴

 

[3Wheelerguy]

Hang in there. You are doing great. I have done a couple of them in the past.
I just noticed your post count now is '420'. LOL Maybe time for a 420....

 

[ericreyn]

It's all back together, that was the " hardest " one I ever changed. Not that its hard, just a lot of crap to remove to get it out. It being bolted from the bottom without clearance holes to get to the bolts kinda sucked but it wouldn't mattered since one broke off and the other spun. I am used to just lifting them out through the top after draining coolant and removing hoses.
A 420 is a skipper ? I wonder what my next milestone will be ?

 

[paul r]

I got the lower support in, those little "brackets " are part of the support.

ericreyn. I am installing a radiator for my friend in a 2006 Lexus rx330. That lower bracket on his is toast . It rotted away on the drivers side so I searched on line and eventually bought one from the local dealer near me. Funny thing is that, it is cheaper at Lexus than Toyota , 50 bucks vs 69, same part number 16506-0A110. If yours is aftermarket kindly let us know the source. One thing I plan to do is grease up that bracket , all around , the screws also and the surrounding areas so there won't be any corrosion problems for future repair. Those screws were part number 90068-04036 and ran me just about a buck and a half.

 

[paul r]

Has anyone had to change a rustbelt radiator and have any pointers on how to deal with the rusted mess at the bottom ?

Both lower screws were rusted and a philips screw driver was worthless . I was able to slot one of the screws using a dremel then used a flat head bit in a 1/4 inch drive impact to remove it. The other , I had to cut the head off and and used a 1/8th drill bit to drill around the remains of the screw for separation. Only then could the condeser be lifted off the bracket. My understanding is that at the dealership some techs don't even bother installing those screws as the condenser is wedged securely in the U shaped bracket.

 

[ericreyn]

I bought it from a toyota dealer online. You could probably leave the condenser screws out if for no other reason than you don't have two more. It will be the least of your problems. Leaving them out is really no advantage either. I just happen to have this 5 gallon bucket of metric fasteners so I just dug up a couple.

 

[paul r]

I took a look at my 06 and it does not have that long bracket like yours, just individual ones.