OEM 2002 Dodge Intrepid Rod Bearing

2002 Dodge Intrepid Rod Bearing Parts and Q&A

• Q: What Precautions Are Essential for Proper Rod Bearing Installation to Prevent Engine Damage on 2002 Dodge Intrepid?

  A: Fit both connecting rods on the same bank before doing the other side and make sure to label the bearing caps when you remove them, so you put them back in the same place. Be careful not to injure the rod joint and cap since that could damage the engine. Slide the bearing shells onto the rods and fit them into the caps so that their holes line up with the oil squirt opening in the rod and then put the cap on the same side as the rod. The upper bearing hole should be in line with the connecting rod to keep the engine safe. Taper or out-of-round on the journals of any crankshaft should not exceed 0.015 mm (0.0006 inch) and there are bearings in 0.025 mm (0.001 inch) and 0.250 mm (0.010 inch) undersizes. Add the bearings two at a time, without pairing up an old half with a new one and never file down the rods or bearing caps. For checking Main Bearing Clearance and Connecting Rod Bearing Clearance, apply plastigage. Examine each connecting rod bearing cap bolt; if the threads show stretching, install new ones. The connecting rod bolts are seated in the rod cap by a light press and can be removed using a hammer and punch, being sure not to damage the cap in the process. Apply a straight edge or scale length along the thread of each bolt; if the scale doesn't touch all the threads, replace it. Before bolting, add engine oil to the threads and ensure each bolt is fastened slightly by hand. Then go around tightening each nut with a wrench as you alter the order. Fix a dial indicator at some fixed point on the engine and make sure its probe stands perpendicular to the side of the connecting rod cap that's being checked. After you reach the end point of the connecting rod, go back to zero on the dial indicator, then bring it to the front end and check the reading. Check the measurements against what is listed in the engine manual, always checking each rod as you turn the crankshaft so you can reach it.