Rod Bearings

[jeanrw2000]

I think i am going to replace my RB since i have some kind of a idle problem for quite some time now. and i was wondering what exactly do i need?

Also has anybody post any links of pictures of the whole job?

any help is always kindly appreciated!

Jean.

 

[Yamaha V6]

Kurt Metros had a step-by-step with pics on his site a few years ago (http://www.kurtmetros.com/bearings.html)

You can order everything you need from a number of vendors, such as RCM & SHO Nut Performance. RCM sells kits including plastigauge & the ever-elusive oil pump pickup tube to pump gasket, FWIW.

 

[Kuda]

Here ya go
http://www.shophoenixproject.com/rodbearings/rodbearings.htm

 

[jeanrw2000]

Excellent, thanks guys.

 

[jeanrw2000]

one more question:

Do i **** the bearings on the outer area that touches the connecting rod and the rod cap? Or do both sides of the bearings?

Or do i do the inside area that shows the wear on this picture?

thansk!

 

[NotSoSlowSHO]

Do i **** the bearings on the outer area that touches the connecting rod and the rod cap?

NO!

Or do i do the inside area that shows the wear on this picture?

thansk!

Yes, ONLY the inner surface.

 

[jeanrw2000]

NO!



Yes, ONLY the inner surface.

thanks! man.

 

[SubCool]

Where can we pick up rod bearings.

 

[SASHO91]

http://home.earthlink.net/~rcm_automotive/id2.html

some auto parts stores carry them.

 

[Denny]

NAPA has them, I don't know if it was a difference between regions or not, but the price went up on them, $10 a bearing.

 

[yamahaSHO]

I think i am going to replace my RB since i have some kind of a idle problem for quite some time now.

Are you attributing your idle problem to having bad bearings??

 

[SASHO91]

no i think he is thinking the other way....
His idle has been bad(fluctuating) so im guessing he is just doing them because of that. Maybe the RPMS have dropped low before, and he got an oil light... or something along those lines.

 

[allbuti]

I have a '92. When it turned 200k, I went to my trusted local mechanic and said I thought I should change the RB, because they had the reputation of failing especially for MTX. He scoped the engine and said he heard nothing amiss. He said I was the boss, but he thought I would just be throwing my money away. He also said that the greater frequency of the problem for MTX suggested that the problem lay with the driver rather than the engine. The car now has 226K, so so far he has been right. Will I get any warning other than a chattering noise, like oil pressure light, using oil between oil changes, lower gas mileage? I've been good to the point of paranoia with simple things like changing oil, oil filters and air filters, but I admit I have never had the valve cover off.

 

[yamahaSHO]

no i think he is thinking the other way....
His idle has been bad(fluctuating) so im guessing he is just doing them because of that. Maybe the RPMS have dropped low before, and he got an oil light... or something along those lines.

His idle fluctuates because of the SS blower kit. The idle should never have dipped low enough to have an oil light come on.

I have a '92. When it turned 200k, I went to my trusted local mechanic and said I thought I should change the RB, because they had the reputation of failing especially for MTX. He scoped the engine and said he heard nothing amiss. He said I was the boss, but he thought I would just be throwing my money away. He also said that the greater frequency of the problem for MTX suggested that the problem lay with the driver rather than the engine. The car now has 226K, so so far he has been right. Will I get any warning other than a chattering noise, like oil pressure light, using oil between oil changes, lower gas mileage? I've been good to the point of paranoia with simple things like changing oil, oil filters and air filters, but I admit I have never had the valve cover off.

Oil pressure and noise (rod knock) at startup will be your biggest indicator. You're not going to burn any extra oil if your bearings are worn.

I would go ahead and replace them in both cases:

Jean: Supercharged... Good idea to replace them
allbutti: 226k is a good time to replace the bearings. Driver error can wear rod bearings quicker, but mileage will eventually take its toll.

 

[SASHO91]

His idle fluctuates because of the SS blower kit. The idle should never have dipped low enough to have an oil light come on.
.

Yeah, i know... I have heard tonys car do the same..... well DID...

But if they are worn and idle drops (say 600-700) then you would get an oil light. (flicker)

 

[yamahaSHO]

700 is about stock idle. If you have an oil light then, it's probably too late.

I'm curious to see how Tony got the idle hunting out. I know Vadim did it, but it was with a horrible tune.

 

[Rockledge]

I have a '92. When it turned 200k, I went to my trusted local mechanic and said I thought I should change the RB, because they had the reputation of failing especially for MTX. He scoped the engine and said he heard nothing amiss. He said I was the boss, but he thought I would just be throwing my money away...

It would seem to me that your mechanic should have recommended that the rod bearings be replaced, regardless of whether or not he could hear any noise. He said it himself, they are a known wear item on the SHO.

IMO, waiting until you can see or hear some sort of "warning sign" is no way to go about things. In most cases, that will prove to be too late.

 

[allbuti]

Thanks. I'll get the rod bearings replaced and in the meantime I'll drive my backup '92, which has only 140K on it.

 

[dstig1]

.Sorry to be extreme here, but by that logic, I should replace my <whatever> "just because". Like <tires>, even though they were new 10k ago. You need a sign that something is wearing out, unless it is a bonafide PM item (such as: do the CPS and water pump - while you are in there for the timing belt). Apply common sense here, so if the SHO has 300k and has never had rod bearings and you are wondering if you should do them, well OK sure...

You replace your brake lines when they weren't ruated or leaking, for example? Why not? Now again - common sense - if you are rebuilding a car, then sure, do stuff like that, but if you are just driving it daily and happily, why would you? My PS lines were leaking. No doubt it was only the high pressure line, but while I was in there, I did all 3 of the main PS lines as they were 14 yrs old. No more problems. Would I just do them for the heck of it? Heck no.

 

[LeddZepp8687]

I have a '92. When it turned 200k, I went to my trusted local mechanic and said I thought I should change the RB, because they had the reputation of failing especially for MTX. He scoped the engine and said he heard nothing amiss. He said I was the boss, but he thought I would just be throwing my money away. He also said that the greater frequency of the problem for MTX suggested that the problem lay with the driver rather than the engine. The car now has 226K, so so far he has been right. Will I get any warning other than a chattering noise, like oil pressure light, using oil between oil changes, lower gas mileage? I've been good to the point of paranoia with simple things like changing oil, oil filters and air filters, but I admit I have never had the valve cover off.

Your missing out man...Thats my favorite thing to do!