1st Gen R50 Cooper Gen 1 Radiator Support.

Discussion in '1st Generation: 2002–06 R50, R53 & 2004–08 R52' started by M1N1, Oct 22, 2017.

  1. M1N1

    M1N1 Well-Known Member

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    #1 M1N1, Oct 22, 2017
    Last edited: Oct 22, 2017
    Gen 1 Radiator Support Replaced.

    Earlier this year, I hit some piece of crap in the road. I work 3rd shift, and it's usually dark on the way in. When I checked the damage, the radiator support panel was cracked around the drivers side fog light. Not too bad, so I decided to leave it alone. Well, about 4 weeks ago, I hit a raccoon on the way to work. Not a little one, but a big full grown adult. Same side as before.

    When it hit, I heard a loud "crack", and pulled over as soon as I could to inspect the damage. Checked out the fog light, and it was pointing towards the engine with all of it's tabs broken. Next day, I pulled off the wheel liner, and the rad support was cracked thru and held on by the expanding rivets of the wheel liner. Time to order a new one.

    First photo has bumper, and carrier removed. Second and third photo's show the damage to the fog light area. Fourth photo shows the rad and rad support off the car. When I removed the original rad support, I found that it was cracked all thru under the center of the rad. Fifth photo shows the new support installed.
     

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  2. M1N1

    M1N1 Well-Known Member

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    #2 M1N1, Oct 22, 2017
    Last edited: Oct 22, 2017
    While I had everything apart, I replaced the crank sensor O-ring and sealed with red RTV. When I tried to install a new fog light, I found that I had been sent a passenger side instead. Oh well, that will have to go back. Also, I'll have to order a few clips, etc, that I didn't know were broken until I had it all apart. For example, the plastic clip that holds the ABS/Brake Wear sensor connectors was shattered. I didn't buy a genuine MINI rad support (although I would have preferred to) for 2 main reasons. 1, Cost. Those things are bloody expensive to buy, and ship!!! 2, This may happen again, and I can just about buy 3 pattern supports for the price of one genuine.
     

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  3. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    May 4, 2009
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    Nice job! Do you have a link for the rad support you ordered?
     
  4. M1N1

    M1N1 Well-Known Member

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    CarPartsDepot, Side Radiator Support Core Panel Assembly New Model Replacement, 417-34467 MC1225101 51647200799 34467

    It was this one from Amazon. I believe that the non-S and S panels are different. I tried to copy/paste the link but it was not having it.

    Ray.
     
  5. M1N1

    M1N1 Well-Known Member

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    Rad support cracked thru below radiator.
     

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  6. fishmonger

    fishmonger Well-Known Member

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    I replaced this part on my dark gray after I ran over a freshly hit deer on the interstate. Didn't realize it was cracked and almost two pieces until thousands of miles later when I dug in to do some O-rings behind the radiator. The part I got came from Amazon and pretty much is identical to the OEM part. $130 I think is what it was 2 years ago.

    http://a.co/7CbTpb3

    ignore the bad reviews, they probably come from people with bent cars where the bolt holes aren't in stock location (not uncommon if you hit something to break that part). or sellers of OEM gear. My part was more or less identical to what comes OEM.
     
  7. M1N1

    M1N1 Well-Known Member

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    I chose the one on Amazon with the best reviews, "most like OEM", etc. This one fit well, with no problems. Only issue I have is the bleed screw near the thermostat will not seal. Just found a brass one among all of my spares. Wish that I'd remembered that sooner. :crazy:
     
  8. M1N1

    M1N1 Well-Known Member

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  9. DneprDave

    DneprDave Well-Known Member
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    Oct 23, 2010
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    Did the dog survive?
     
  10. M1N1

    M1N1 Well-Known Member

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    Didn't see a body on the road on my way home this a.m., so I'm guessing yes.
     

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