Have a donor car Vienta. Need to replace radiator support 96 camry which is damaged on the passenger side around headlight and the panel forward of the strut. The side top bar that the support joins onto is fine.
Is it easier to replace the whole support panel or just the top rail as that's all I need to replace.

 

I don't know.

Typically the parts are spot welded in place. Look for the small dots indicating a spot weld.

Might be simpler to drill out the spot welds on the damaged and replacement top rail then swap and spot weld back into place. You can purchase a special spot weld drill tool as doing this is common in the auto repair business. This route may also maintain the alignment of parts better.

 

Hi! Welcome to the forum.Its so good to know you.enjoy.

 

Thanks, I pulled most of the bits off today for wrecking after work and I wasn't sure if the whole radiator support just unbolts at some point or if it is spot welded in place. I will get a better look at it in the morning.
The individual sections within the support are spot welded.
I know the panel under the air cleaner will have to be drilled and I will get a panel shop guy to fill the welds again.

 

The spot welds drilled out okay with an 8mm bit but there were a couple that did not quite clear but they cut fine with a chisel. Only problem was two 10mm bolts on each side in the corners above the front cooler behind the wiring loom. have to pull radiator and undo top bolts on front cooler and push back into car and pull loom out enough to get at bolts. Easier to remove top piece than whole support.

 

welcome here! I find it easy if you work on the top rail but you should ask for asssitance in doing that.

 

Didn't you have a problem with the rubber bushings? my problem is it would not come out with the radiator..