Remove / replace radiator DIY

[Leto Atreides II]

Are you able to remove the radiator without a lift? Up on ramps gives enough space to get it down and out?

[vtl]

Yes, ramps are enough.

[8pack]

It's a very easy job, just a little awkward and time-consuming. Work over some cardboard and have some fluid absorption stuff handy as you will have coolant drip about as you take the radiator and condensor out. I can't remember if I took my bumper off but it will certainly be easier that way. Definitely do the foglight when you have the bumper off. I replaced mine with it attached and it was a real PITA....so you have at least 2 good reasons to take the bumper off now!

Get spare green retainer clips for the transmission lines. They may break when you remove them and it is good insurance to replace them since they have new o rings.

Good luck

[MoeB]

I replaced my radiator on ramps and used jack stands to support the intercooler/ac condenser. A helper would have made things easier but I didn't have one and managed okay. You can see where I put the jack stands under the IC/condenser in this pic.

[Mbliss]

I replaced my radiator on ramps and used jack stands to support the intercooler/ac condenser.

Late to the game, but thanks for that tip, worked great. I had the car on jackstands just high enough that the wheels were off the ground. Once the passenger side of the radiator was down, it was then easy to lift it out the top and put the new one in the same way.

I'm surprised no one has commented on taking out the air damn (sic). VIDA has a cryptic picture with an upward arrow that makes no sense. Turns out the only way I could get it off was to remove the bumper. Yes, that's a ten-minute job, but getting it back on is a pain. As far as I can tell, there is no other way to release the locking tab from the bracket. I thought about cutting off the locking part, but figured I'd never be able to get the tabs back into the bracket with the bumper in place anyway.

[Astro14]

Late to the game, but thanks for that tip, worked great. I had the car on jackstands just high enough that the wheels were off the ground. Once the passenger side of the radiator was down, it was then easy to lift it out the top and put the new one in the same way.

I'm surprised no one has commented on taking out the air damn (sic). VIDA has a cryptic picture with an upward arrow that makes no sense. Turns out the only way I could get it off was to remove the bumper. Yes, that's a ten-minute job, but getting it back on is a pain. As far as I can tell, there is no other way to release the locking tab from the bracket. I thought about cutting off the locking part, but figured I'd never be able to get the tabs back into the bracket with the bumper in place anyway.

A flat blade screwdriver, relatively big one, inserted from below, pushed up, will release that locking tab.

Bumper removal not required.