OEM 2002 Dodge Dakota Crankshaft

2002 Dodge Dakota Crankshaft Parts and Q&A

• Q: How to Service and Repair a Crankshaft on 2002 Dodge Dakota?

  A: Remove the oil pan and the oil pump as the first step to service and repair the crankshaft. Make sure to find the bearing caps before pulling them off and the bearings, to avoid confusion. Pull the crankshaft from the block and toss out the rear and front crankshaft oil seals. Apply a thin coating of engine oil to the new upper rear bearing oil seal lips and add it to the engine so the white mark is directed toward the engine's rear. Directly after that, place the crankshaft into the cylinder block and gently oil the inside lip of the new lower rear bearing seal, before locking the seal into the bearing cap, also known as the big end cap, with the white-painted part going into contact with the rear of the crankshaft. Slide a drop of Loctite 518 under each side of the rear main bearing cap, don't apply too much and put the cap onto the cylinder block right away. Use the cap slot, alignment dowel and cap bolts to line up the bearing cap and make sure to limit collisions with the rear cap to two after assembly for a proper fit. Oil and then clean the main cap bolts and install all caps, alternating the way you tighten them to 85 ft. lbs. torque. Fit the oil pump into the block and seal the area around the bearing cap with Mopar Silicone Rubber Adhesive Sealant, so a small bit comes out and can be cleaned from the oil pan seal groove. Put the new front crankshaft oil seal in, then the oil pan and then the new rear oil seal.