On my drive into work, had someone cut me off and slam on their brakes to make a turn. Roads were really wet so I basically just slid right into him. Punched a hole in the bottom of my radiator, so I need to either do it myself or take it to a shop tomorrow morning.

My question is how hard is this to do in my garage? (I have every tool that I would need) I cringed when I saw how much they cost (approx. $260 at local parts stores), so I don't want to have to pay even more to have a shop do it if I can replace it in a couple hours by myself.

Thanks in advance for all of your replies!!

-Matt

I never replaced one but I really don't think it could be that bad. my few cents.

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05 Liberty 4x4, Atlantic Blue
Extended Breathers
3/4 Mopar Skids
OME Lift, 245/75/16 General Grabbers AT2, ProComp Extreme Alloys 7189
Mopar Tow Hooks

If you rear ended someone, is the body damaged? I'd be worried about that stuff as well.


If you don't have HD cooling, changing the radiator kind of goes like this:

Remove fan shroud / fan
Drain radiator
Remove Radiator
Install new one
Fill radiator
Reinstall fan & shroud

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02 Liberty Limited
Silver Outside & Taupe Inside
Heated Seats, Sunroof & Infinity speakers
USA Spec I-Pod adaptor, Mopar Sub, Garmin GPS
Tow Package, Select-Trac
Rock Rails, Tow Hooks

Cosmetic body damage is very minimal, not too worried about that. The impact wasn't very hard but who knows.

It does look like the AC condensor got smashed and took the brunt of the impact. The radiator did get pushed in a little bit but I didn't see any coolant on the ground under my jeep when I checked it at lunch time.

I turned it on and ran it for approx 5 minutes and the engine temp didnt change at all and the coolant light didnt come on. I talked to a local dealership and they said the liberty doesnt have a low coolant light but instead has a NO coolant light..meaning it only comes on when its completely out of coolant. Seems wierd to me, is this actually true?

So it looks like I might be able to get away with just having to replace the AC condensor and not the radiator. Parts costs the same as the radiator and they want $60 to recharge the freon. yikes..

I hate how it doesnt matter how far you follow someone else because there is always the guy that cuts you off at the last second to make his turn..

-matt

A-freekin-men.

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Peace Through Power.

2002 Liberty, salsa red
1997 Wrangler, dark green

PSN ID: David_Lucas (Burnout: Paradise, Battlefield: Bad Company/Bad Company2)

Thats why I always lay on the horn when someone doesnt signal, or signals at the last second. MAN that pisses me off!

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My 03 Jeep Liberty Limited: http://www.cardomain.com/id/Saint_Anger

*Pro Car Detailer*

You'ld hate LA.

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2005 Blue KJ Renegade
Too big to fit into most LA parking garages.

Right behind you in NC.

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DIRTY KJ :: flickr photostream
"Primitive life is very common and intelligent life is fairly rare ... some would say it has yet to occur on Earth" --- Stephen Hawking

Yeah can't count how many times that happens to me in a day here in LA. You used to live in OC right? Not that it's much different there.

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2005 Blue KJ Renegade
Too big to fit into most LA parking garages.

was there no witnesses to this crash? because it can be ruled in your favor then have it all covered by insurance if witnesses seen him cut you off.

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2004 Liberty Renegade
Silver, loaded
Full skid plates
255/65/16 yokohama Geolander A/T-S
Tow hooks
Flowmaster super 44