Nct Almera Fail question

galwaydude18

Herselfs Almera went in for the nct today and it failed on a brake imbalance but it also failed on Main Structral Member (Middle Front) due to Primary Structure Corrosion.

Its a 00 N16 model hatchback. I know it was pointed our before that there is some panel around the radiator that it's very rusty.

Would that be the Main Structural Member they are referring to in the nct fail or is it something else?

mickdw

Its the main front structural cross member that rusts on them all. Its a big enough job too.

galwaydude18

mickdw wrote: »

Its the main front structural cross member that rusts on them all. Its a big enough job too.

Ah balls. How much am I looking to buy a new one? And also How many hours labour am I looking at?

nct tester

common problem on the n16's, better to get it done properly or you will have the same problem every year. A patch up job will get you through the re test but not the test again in a years time. To a good bodywork specialist , you could be talking between 6 to 8 hours work, possibly more.

galwaydude18

nct tester wrote: »

common problem on the n16's, better to get it done properly or you will have the same problem every year. A patch up job will get you through the re test but not the test again in a years time. To a good bodywork specialist , you could be talking between 6 to 8 hours work, possibly more.

Ok so will I need to bring it to my panel beater or mechanic to get the job done. Any idea on the cost of the part?

leeomurchu

galwaydude18 wrote: »

Ok so will I need to bring it to my panel beater or mechanic to get the job done. Any idea on the cost of the part?

It might be time to turn her out to pasture it's gonna be pricey :eek:

galwaydude18

leeomurchu wrote: »

galwaydude18 wrote: »

Ok so will I need to bring it to my panel beater or mechanic to get the job done. Any idea on the cost of the part?

It might be time to turn her out to pasture it's gonna be pricey :eek:

Na my panel beater is not that hard on the pocket and neither is my mechanic. I'd like to get it fixed right

nct tester

no idea of the cost to be honest, but if it was my car and i was going to hold onto the car for a few years, i'd get whoever can do it right for the lowest price. if you plan on selling it , id just get it patched up to get it through the re test. I've seen some cars come back with really good jobs done but i've never asked them how much it cost, and i've seen some come back that have been failed again because they've been filled with expanding foam!!!!

mickdw

I know a chap who paid 700 a few years back but that was one of the earlier failures. Probably less now though.

galwaydude18

We need to hold onto the car for a few years anyhow. Lack of work prevents buying a new car and we already got a load done before the nct and the car is lovely to drive so want to get it done right.

galwaydude18

mickdw wrote: »

I know a chap who paid 700 a few years back but that was one of the earlier failures. Probably less now though.

700 for the part alone or 700 for the part and labour?

mickdw

galwaydude18 wrote: »

700 for the part alone or 700 for the part and labour?

That was the total cost, parts and labour. Im sure someone will be along shortly with an up to date costing on both part and labour.

galwaydude18

mickdw wrote: »

galwaydude18 wrote: »

700 for the part alone or 700 for the part and labour?

That was the total cost, parts and labour. Im sure someone will be along shortly with an up to date costing on both part and labour.

Boom time price?

galwaydude18

I was just looking on micksgarage but can't seem to find the part. What is it excatly called?

nct tester

http://www.somora.ie/productsearch/NISSAN/Almera/Almera/1.5/04~2000-03~2001/Saloon/?Vehicle=20729&Product=193410&PF=21946

renofan

mickdw wrote: »

I know a chap who paid 700 a few years back but that was one of the earlier failures. Probably less now though.

My micra failed on the same thing (common nissan problem) in 2010 and nissan in Roscrea wanted €700 to repair it. And at that it was just cut out what was rotten and cut up the new part and weld it in. I wasn't happy with both the cost and work they were going to do so got the part in the motor factors and put it in myself. You do need to know what you are doing though to be honest.

In the end it cost me €100 plus the re-test fee!

galwaydude18

nct tester wrote: »

http://www.somora.ie/productsearch/NISSAN/Almera/Almera/1.5/04~2000-03~2001/Saloon/?Vehicle=20729&Product=193410&PF=21946

Does that fit in front of the radiator and under it as well? It's not underneath the car as in a structural beam?

galwaydude18

renofan wrote: »

mickdw wrote: »

I know a chap who paid 700 a few years back but that was one of the earlier failures. Probably less now though.

My micra failed on the same thing (common nissan problem) in 2010 and nissan in Roscrea wanted €700 to repair it. And at that it was just cut out what was rotten and cut up the new part and weld it in. I wasn't happy with both the cost and work they were going to do so got the part in the motor factors and put it in myself. You do need to know what you are doing though to be honest.

In the end it cost me €100 plus the re-test fee!

How long did it take you to do?

Shane Fitz

renofan wrote: »

mickdw wrote: »

I know a chap who paid 700 a few years back but that was one of the earlier failures. Probably less now though.

My micra failed on the same thing (common nissan problem) in 2010 and nissan in Roscrea wanted €700 to repair it. And at that it was just cut out what was rotten and cut up the new part and weld it in. I wasn't happy with both the cost and work they were going to do so got the part in the motor factors and put it in myself. You do need to know what you are doing though to be honest.

In the end it cost me €100 plus the re-test fee!

Had mine done this summer in main dealers for €600 odd. Car left in first thing on a Thursday and collected Friday afternoon.

renofan

galwaydude18 wrote: »

How long did it take you to do?

I only had a few hours at the weekends but as I had more than one car I didn't mind. Did it over three saturdays.....took pictures of the whole process if you want me to email them to you to give you an idea of whats involved.

nct tester

its the whole panel, radiatior sits in the center of it. if you want to fit it yourself you need to be able to weld ar far as i know.

galwaydude18

Shane Fitz wrote: »

Had mine done this summer in main dealers for €600 odd. Car left in first thing on a Thursday and collected Friday afternoon.

Ok well if costs that much in a main dealer an indy will prob do it for half that

galwaydude18

nct tester wrote: »

its the whole panel, radiatior sits in the center of it. if you want to fit it yourself you need to be able to weld ar far as i know.

Ah ok. I was picturing a big steel member under the car that needed doing. I'll get my panel beater to do it for me so. He has do e work for me in the past and is not one bit hard on the pocket

guinnessdrinker

I had to get this done to my car two years ago. It was expensive but I can't remember exactly how much because I had to get a lot of other work done at the same time. Luckily I had a good mechanic that did a good job.

mickdw

galwaydude18 wrote: »

Ok well if costs that much in a main dealer an indy will prob do it for half that

But he said the main dealer was only going to chop out the bad spots and replace with new steel ripped from the new part instead of fitting the complete new part which would likely require much more stripdown work.

Shane Fitz

galwaydude18 wrote: »

Shane Fitz wrote: »

Had mine done this summer in main dealers for €600 odd. Car left in first thing on a Thursday and collected Friday afternoon.

Ok well if costs that much in a main dealer an indy will prob do it for half that

True, There is a regular poster on here, Nissan Doctor, who'll probably see this and come along with some good advice.

galwaydude18

mickdw wrote: »

galwaydude18 wrote: »

Ok well if costs that much in a main dealer an indy will prob do it for half that

But he said the main dealer was only going to chop out the bad spots and replace with new steel ripped from the new part instead of fitting the complete new part which would likely require much more stripdown work.

I'll get my panel beater to have a look at it at the weekend so and see what he says about it.

renofan

mickdw wrote: »

But he said the main dealer was only going to chop out the bad spots and replace with new steel ripped from the new part instead of fitting the complete new part which would likely require much more stripdown work.

To do it right I'd to strip the front of the car and take off both wings. It ain't a job I'd like to do pretty often.

galwaydude18

renofan wrote: »

mickdw wrote: »

But he said the main dealer was only going to chop out the bad spots and replace with new steel ripped from the new part instead of fitting the complete new part which would likely require much more stripdown work.

To do it right I'd to strip the front of the car and take off both wings. It ain't a job I'd like to do pretty often.

That's a big enough job then. Are all almeras like this? Why does this Structral member rust like this?

Shane Fitz

mickdw wrote: »

But he said the main dealer was only going to chop out the bad spots and replace with new steel ripped from the new part instead of fitting the complete new part which would likely require much more stripdown work.

No Mick, my €600 two day job was a full replacement with a main dealer, 'twas the other poster that was the cut and fix.

mickdw

Shane Fitz wrote: »

mickdw wrote: »

But he said the main dealer was only going to chop out the bad spots and replace with new steel ripped from the new part instead of fitting the complete new part which would likely require much more stripdown work.

No Mick, my €600 two day job was a full replacement with a main dealer, 'twas the other poster that was the cut and fix.

Sorry, mixed that up. That was a reasonable cost from a main dealer.

Pottler

Indeed. The Nissan Almera is a fail, on many levels.

shawnee

Have a 98 Almera , serviced probably once a year, has never ever had a recall for nct... maybe I am one of the lucky ones.;) Would suggest buying one with a valid nct , probably pick up one for around 700.;)

galwaydude18

Well guys I got the entire structural member replaced by my panel beater for €190 including the structural member! That's a big saving compared to the main dealer prices posted up here