They are rarely the cause of a fault, but they are the reason a new radiator leaks a month later if they are reused when cracked.
The upper and lower support panels carry the radiator and often the condenser and the fan shroud as well. On vehicles that have been in a minor impact, the support is bent just enough to stress the radiator neck.
Foam seals are the cheapest part in this category and the most often missing. Without them, air flows around the core instead of through it, and the vehicle runs hot at idle with the fan on.
Listings state whether the part is left, right, upper or lower, because the same support panel is not used on both sides.
