Expert: William Forster - 9/11/2009

Question
Sir, you answered a similar question 2.5 years ago on replacing a front crossbeam on a Nissan Maxima.  My 1997 Maxima has heavy oxidation at the center of the crossbeam that is behind the front bumper under the radiator.  The rust is right in front of where the "skid plate" that goes underneath the engine bolts into the crossbeam.  I don't have the time, tools or expertise to take the car apart and replace it and I don't want to spend $1k to have it fixed on a car that is worth about $1k.  What I want to know is what happens if that crossbeam snaps or bends.  Will the engine fall out?  Will the front wheels go different directions?  Would bolting a 3 foot piece of angle iron to the bottom of it provide enough support to make it safe to drive?

Answer
Do you really want to find out what happens if the cross beam snaps? or explain to another driver (or police officer) why you caused an accident in an unsafe vehicle? Or have your next of kin identify you? Get it off the road befor a tragedy happens. You can't afford NOT to fix it. angle iron is not the answer, you need to repair unibodies correctly, or junk them. Cobbling is no answer.