Cadillac XLR Lower Radiator Core Support Skid Bar Plate

[TomP]

I have a V and the dealer check out indicates the Rad Core Sup Skid Plate is cracked, common, and should be repaired by a welder. I see on ebay replacements can be had for $145. Can the skid plate be replaced w/o radiator removal? Perhaps from underneath? Anyone done this? I had teh dealer replace the coolant and if I dont have to crack the system open to do this it woudl be nice.

 

[mickeytee]

yes. not that bad to do from the bottom. The after market ones are fine . some have the nutserts from bolting the horns in and the lower shields. If the one you get does not the tool and serts or rivnuts are not expensive and a good tool to have. They install like a pop rivet but people tend to squeeze too hard. You just pull them snug. get your old one welded when you swap it out and be ready for the next time. A board laid across the top of the radiator and held up with some rope around the hose will help as it is rather heavy and can drop down making the install a little hard to align and put everything in place.

 

[TomP]

Thanks M, You know, when I asked the dealer about this they described the skid bar as an integral part of the structure of the frame. Which sent shivers into me. Sounds like its common and repairable. They did say that much.

 

[mickeytee]

if you need any help and try it, just let me know . I can send the tool and rivnets if you get one that needs them . the crack is a good thing for them to do. after they have been welded and really reinforced too much by some people they will pull the mount out of the frame and that is a lot or work to get that part repaired. As it is, its just a bolt on and bolt off part.

 

[BLAZO]

I have a V and the dealer check out indicates the Rad Core Sup Skid Plate is cracked, common, and should be repaired by a welder. I see on ebay replacements can be had for $145. Can the skid plate be replaced w/o radiator removal? Perhaps from underneath? Anyone done this? I had teh dealer replace the coolant and if I dont have to crack the system open to do this it woudl be nice.

Hey Tom,

I just purchased a 2004 XLR and found that my Skid Bar is broken on the driver's side. I researched it on the WEB and from what I've read, it is pretty straight forward. I put the car up on my lift and it looks to be independent and just supports the radiator from underneath (the corners of the radiator sit in grommets in the skid bar at both corners). I still have to figure out how to support the radiator from above when I remove the skid bar. To answer your question, I am sure that the radiator does not have to be removed.

I'll post in a couple of weeks or so after I get it (Feb 12th) and install it.

Ed

 

[mickeytee]

You do not need to remove the radiator. Just putva board across the top . not on the fenders but on the inner fender. A couple of zipnies off the hose will hold it fine. Do not use the the support that is bolted together. They are junk. They inner tubes that bolt it together plusvthe bolts will cause galvic corrosion and rot it out. They cut it to skimp on shipping.

 

[BLAZO]

Hey Tom,

I just purchased a 2004 XLR and found that my Skid Bar is broken on the driver's side. I researched it on the WEB and from what I've read, it is pretty straight forward. I put the car up on my lift and it looks to be independent and just supports the radiator from underneath (the corners of the radiator sit in grommets in the skid bar at both corners). I still have to figure out how to support the radiator from above when I remove the skid bar. To answer your question, I am sure that the radiator does not have to be removed.​

I'll post in a couple of weeks or so after I get it (Feb 12th) and install it.

Ed

Hey Tom,

I got the Skid Bar a week early from Amazon and I installed it yesterday. I was impressed with the quality and it fit perfectly. It was way easier to install than I thought it would be.

Key Points of Installation:
NOTE: ***I did not support the radiator when I removed the skid bar, but the radiator only dropped a 1/2"***

- I removed 4-13mm bolts, 2 on each side, connecting the skid bar to the frame
- I removed about 10-9mm bolts/screws holding the bottom of the bumper facia to the existing skid bar and frame
- I removed the horns from the skid bar, 1-10mm bolt holding on each horn bracket,

- The wire loom for the passenger side fog light ran through the frame of the skid bar, so I removed it from the socket, routed around the skid bar frame and plugged it (twist connector) back in​

I reversed these steps to install the new skid bar (I transferred the 6 speed nuts from the old skid bar to the new).

Any questions, feel free to contact me.
Ed

THE SKID BAR I PURCHASED IS PASTED BELOW:​

 

[mickeytee]

Good job. I do suggest you support the drivers side of the radiator. Without support all tgat is holding it up is pressure from twisting the two solid ac lines. They can crack . the cost to replace and recharge the ac will be more than a few minutes insurance to support it.
Did this one come with the treaded nut serts already installed? Some dont and buying them and installing can tie up time.
This is a little more cost than the three piece but i highly recommend you not cut corners with the three piece units . your savings will be short lived when it fails. This knowing it fits looks like a good deal. I was totally unimpressed with a new oem a customer brought by that cost him 600$ i dont think it would be 2% stronger at most.

 

[BLAZO]

Understood, when I loosened up the existing skid bar, the radiator didn’t move, but you are correct, I was taking a chance.

And, yes it came with the inserts for mounting the horns.

Go EAGLES!!!

 

[mickeytee]

Good to know on the nut certs. That saves time and money by them being installed