2002 Maxima/Underbody Damage

[2002 Maxima SE]

A re-tread snuck up on my Maxima this morning. I was driving into work (fairly dense traffic) and saw a re-tread in the left lane about 5 cars up. One car swerved and the next car hit it with his passenger wheel...throwing it into my lane in front of me. Luckily, the hit laid it out flat as prior to that it was rolled up in a ball. I straddled it with the front wheels, the highest part rubbed the bottom of the front bumper and removed (cleanly) the driver side under body shield. There was no damage whatsoever to the front bumper. No cracks, dents...just a small scuff mark.

While I was looking, I noticed a thin piece of metal to the left (driver side) of the rear catalytic converter (just behind the transmission pan). You can see it (while crouched behind the driver side tire) if you look from the driver side to the passenger side. It is not a straight piece, rather it is curved down and toward the driver side. I don't recall if it was ever like that. I need to see some pics of the underbody of other cars. I'll post a picture later today when I get home.

In this picture, look at the bottom of the transmission (lowest brass colored bolt). There is a black, metal, "flap" with three vertical grooves (left side of picture, halfway up). Mine is now slightly bent. What is it's function?

http://www.greghome.com/images/Maxim...xSE-YPipe1.jpg

 

[2002 Maxima SE]

I got it off and sent a pic to my parts guy. He sent me the part number and name "Air Guide". It's mounted behind the transmission on the central "spine" of the subframe. It scoops air from the front of the car and diverts it onto the passenger shaft entering the transmission. Why is this necessary?

On a new Maxima

My bent air guide

I bent it back to shape until the replacement arrives. It's function is still a mystery. I've got an appt on Saturday with my mechanic to put the car up on the hoist and see if they can spot any other damage.

Total bill so far: $50

Not bad considering most cars get the front end ripped off in an accident like this.

 

[mstrjon32]

I probably wouldn't have even ordered a new one...

 

[The_Jeff]

My saturn has a large number of flaps and doodads under the bumper to direct airflow through the radiator or perhaps even over the top of the car to help MPG.

Except, they're all missing. Car's fine. Highway MPG is the rated 40.

Your flap is 1/10 the size.

Your mission is to find out if it's there for cooling, fuel efficiency, or noise. Probably a smart engineer stuck it there for all out, WOT autobahn style driving in 120'F temps. And you could likely live without it.

 

[2002 Maxima SE]

Originally Posted By: mstrjon32
I probably wouldn't have even ordered a new one...


Though the car is at that age where I *should* be looking for cheap fixes...I still try to keep it fixed up with new OEM parts (ordered online at a discount...not Nissan prices).

The car (at 7 years and 75k miles) has very little wrong with it mechanically or cosmetically (save for a few rock chips). The engine has been bullet proof with no signs of oil usage. This is the only major incident I've been in with the car and aside from this part and the front engine cover, Nissan gave it a clean bill of health.