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Recently purchased a 2002 C5 that has the passenger side skid plate damaged.
I can wiggle it a bit, and push up on enough to move the radiator maybe a quarter of an inch.
My question is do I need to replace the cradle because in the future the radiator will drop down significantly or is this something that i can ignore and just enjoy owning and driving the car.
The skid bar is bolted to the frame, two bolts each side. If those bolts are not tight- tighten them and see whether it moves after tightening. If those bolts are tight and the skid bar still moves, the skid bar is probably broken and should be replaced.
Do not tolerate the radiator moving around.
Most C5 skid bars show wear and grinding on their lower surface which often scrapes on curbs and the like, that is usually not reason to replace.
The skid bar is bolted to the frame, two bolts each side. If those bolts are not tight- tighten them and see whether it moves after tightening. If those bolts are tight and the skid bar still moves, the skid bar is probably broken and should be replaced.
Do not tolerate the radiator moving around.
Most C5 skid bars show wear and grinding on their lower surface which often scrapes on curbs and the like, that is usually not reason to replace.
There is a lower plastic closeout panel which has to be removed on each side, a bunch of 7 mm screws on each one. With the panel off the skid bar bolts can be accessed. Shown in section 8 of the Factory Service Manual about page 1420.
The skid bar is bolted to the frame, two bolts each side. If those bolts are not tight- tighten them and see whether it moves after tightening. If those bolts are tight and the skid bar still moves, the skid bar is probably broken and should be replaced.
Do not tolerate the radiator moving around.
Most C5 skid bars show wear and grinding on their lower surface which often scrapes on curbs and the like, that is usually not reason to replace.
This is not a skid plate. It is the radiator support cradle. If it is moving, you have an issue that needs to be addressed. Once you have fixed the problem, there are a number of good aftermarket solutions to help protect the cradle from getting damaged. There are small wheels that can be install. Other options include "fangs" or actual skid plates. Good luck!
The skid bar is bolted to the frame, two bolts each side. If those bolts are not tight- tighten them and see whether it moves after tightening. If those bolts are tight and the skid bar still moves, the skid bar is probably broken and should be replaced.
Do not tolerate the radiator moving around.
Most C5 skid bars show wear and grinding on their lower surface which often scrapes on curbs and the like, that is usually not reason to replace.
Damaged skid plate
This is not a skid plate. It is the radiator support cradle. If it is moving, you have an issue that needs to be addressed. Once you have fixed the problem, there are a number of good aftermarket solutions to help protect the cradle from getting damaged. There are small wheels that can be install. Other options include "fangs" or actual skid plates. Good luck!
