Tips for Changing Connecting Rod Bearings

The connecting rod bearings are used to protect the crankshaft and the connecting rods from any damage caused by friction. The bearings help ease the friction and heat that may be created between these parts.

However, the connecting rod bearings in your car can wear over time. If not looked into, this can cause a multitude of problems for your car. When this happens, it is now time to change the connecting rod bearings of your combustion engine.

Organize Your Tools

Just like any job or project you are doing, it is important that you prepare or organize the tools or equipments you will need for the job of changing the connecting rod bearings. By preparing your tools before you start with the job, you spend less time running back and forth to your tool box or looking for certain tools.

In changing the connecting rod bearings, you do need a drip pan, wrench, gasket sealant, and oil pan gasket and engine oil. Make sure that you have all of these tools by your side when you are planning to change the connecting rod bearings.

Compare the Old Bearing to the New

Prior to changing the old connecting rod bearings to a new, it is important that you get the right connecting rod bearings. To get the right fit, you can bring and show the old bearing to the auto shop and ask for the same type of connecting rod bearing. This is to ensure that you get the appropriate connecting rod bearing for your engine.

Mark the Parts

When changing the connecting rod bearings in engine, you do need to remove many bolts, nuts and caps. Mark all the rods and caps you remove in a manner to specify the order of their removal. Then, when it comes time to reassemble the engine you can follow the marks and be assured that it goes back together the same direction it came apart.

To avoid misplacing or losing any essential part of the engine once you are ready to put back everything together, use a series of plastic containers where you can place the different parts that you remove. Label these containers with the appropriate names for easy identification, if you are not familiar with engine parts.

Tapping the Bearings

Removing the old bearings from the connecting rod may require a little help. These may slide off easily but there are times you do need to tap the bearings slightly to get it out. Lightly tap the bearings with a soft hammer to loosen it up. It is important to remember though that you need to tap the top edge of the connecting rod bearings and not the sides.

Cleaning the Parts

Clean all the parts that you remove from your engine. Every time you open your hood and make any maintenance or repair, it is an opportunity to clean any engine parts that you will encounter.

Aside from cleaning the parts you remove, also clean the entire surface of the rod thoroughly with mineral spirits or degreaser. Wipe a film of oil on the new connecting rod bearings as well before putting it in place.