Inspecting bearings

[Devin]

If the cap bearing is in good condition, is it necessary to inspect the rod bearing? If so, I am just inspecting the crank journal side?

 

[AREA 91]

All the load from the combustion process is downward on the rod side of the bearing. This is more important than the cap side.

 

[AREA 91]

Rod bearings are cheap and available. Just change them.

 

[Devin]

Hmm, so it looks like the easiest way is to remove the spark plugs so the piston can move out of the way, and then I can move the rod to either side of the crank to get at the bearing. Then I guess I can pick the bearing out with a plastic tool.

 

[luigisho]

http://www.shoforum.com/index.php?threads/60k-rod-bearings-269k-miles-pics.6380/

 

[AREA 91]

No need to remove the spark plug. You can use your fingers to remove and install the bearings.

 

[Devin]

The piston resists me moving it off of the journal.

 

[sperold]

Rotate the crank a bit and you will find the clearance.

 

[AREA 91]

http://web.archive.org/web/20060710...hoenixproject.com/rodbearings/rodbearings.htm

 

[Devin]

Ah, no valves are open. So I just have to turn it until it is on the intake stroke.

 

[Devin]

Bearings (and journal) look fine. Once I reassemble I will see if the oil light continues to flash.

 

[black92]

Those bearings looks nice, however like others have mentioned. You have gone this far. Install new.

 

[Devin]

We did. Cleaned everything up real nice too.

 

[Devin]

New bearings are installed. Took about a minute and a half of cranking (about ten a shot, and then a rest) for the oil light to turn off. Drove five miles and there were no issues, aside from a rattle that sounds like something I didn't tighten all the way.

I am now a little confused about why I had the oil light and what I swear were metal flakes in the oil. The bearings didn't look bad.

 

[Off Road SHO]

Oil flakes may have come off of your oil pump housing. Get your oil analyzed two oil changes from now.



Tom