I've searched and not found.

The lower radiator brackets on my RX are rusted good. I am replacing my radiator.
The front lower bracket screws going through the ac evaporator have broken.

My options seem to be try to take the bolts out of the bottom of the radiator, but I can't tell if the front screws go through evaporator and attach to radiator.
I have a little clearance for a wrench.

Or, I can drain off my ac and take the evaporator and radiator out.
This would be quicker, but then I'll have to pay to refill (or I could just sweat it out.)
Anyone have experience dealing with this?

I couldn't find many good videos on youtube.

@MattRX @Margate330 Thougts?


And thanks in advance.

 

This video has some good footage of the brackets

 

If you have a RX330, be ready for pain. Lol

I was able to get one side off but not the other because the screw head was rusted and stripped.

The part that sucks is it's impossible to see what's going on in there because it's a sandwich. Haha

Ok, so I finally did get the bracket off.
(1): I had to drill the head off
(2): bend the bracket forward
(3): grab the stud and twist it out.

That's the best I remember so don't shoot me if I screwed that up. Lol

Hint: don't waste your time pulling the condensor.
Reason why is that bolt goes thru both and into a welded nut on the back side of the bracket.

You will profit nothing from pulling the condensor. 😀

Ps, I mangled my bracket so bad I had to by a new one but I think I used the damaged bracket temporarily.

 

Pain is right.

Thanks guys.
I ended up finding this one that showed him sliding whole assembly towards engine to reach lower bolts.


I'd spent an hour getting mad before I came in and posted on here.
Then I found that video after.

The brackets are mostly ok, but still on evaporator.

Getting ready for church, when I get back I'll do the thermostat and then start putting everything back together.
Fun times.

THanks guys.

 

Fortunately I live in a non -salted road area when I replaced my radiator last year it went very quick and easy no surprises or pain

 

Interesting.
Maybe someone has already been in there and replaced the long screws?

My car is florida all it's life.
No salt and almost no rust on the car, clean.

However, for some reason my screws were rusted bad on the heads, ruined.

 

Only somewhat rusted bolts were at the bottom brackets I just soaked them with "Blaster" they came out pretty easily. Overall the replacement was very straight-forward probably took @2 1/2 hours total would take less time today. The videos on YT made it non-stressful

For others make sure you check your radiator... mine seemed fine but was slowly losing a litle coolant I had checked a few times but finally looked at the sides saw what looked like pink Silly String at both front and rear at the joints on it... it wasn't until I removed the radiator that it was very clear it was failing/leaking. Lastly be sure to replace it with a Koyorad (RockAuto) OR OEM only do not cheap out on this with some no-name

 

You got lucky my friend.
Imaging if those screw heads were toast.

That radiator is not coming out the easy way.
Pain in the you know what! Haha

 

Got this done last night.
Finished burping out this morning.
Ended up being able to use the clips from top of old radiator for brackets on the bottom.
1 bolt each side, top and bottom.

I also had to reuse the metal thermostat housing.
The plastic dorman one I got, the bolt flange at neck was too thick for the bolt.
Fortunately, my metal one showed no signs of leaking.
Thanks guys.