How to Remove and Install Piston and Connecting Rods in an Engine on 2004 Dodge Stratus?

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Removing the piston starts by first detaching the cylinder head, oil pan and Balance Shaft Carrier Assembly. Take out the highest part of the cylinder bore using a good ridge reamer as the piston tops are still covered. You will see a directional stamp marking on the front side of the pistons, toward the engine's front. Take out the pistons and connecting rods by rotating the crankshaft which will place each rod right in the center of its cylinder bore. Avoid using a number punch or stamp on the connecting rod, instead mark each cap with the cylinder number using a permanent marker. Remove the connecting rod bolts and cover alongside the connector rod, then do not damage either as you remove them and do not reuse the bolts. For crankshaft and fractured rod protection, hang Special Tool 8189 and the connecting rod guides and slowly draw each piston and rod assembly from the cylinder bore. Once you have removed the guides, fit a bearing cap back onto the mating rod. Repeat this procedure for every piston and its connecting rod and next take out the piston rings. First place the piston rings on the piston so that the gaps in the compression rings are offset from the oil ring rail gaps. It's necessary to align the oil ring expander ends and correct the rail gaps before you use the ring compressor. Apply plenty of clean engine oil to the head and rings and, once they are covered, place the ring compressor over the piston, keeping the ring positions where they are. When the engine is opened, the piston's directional stamp should point toward you. Twist the crankshaft until the journal of the connecting rod lies halfway into the cylinder bore and then apply clean engine oil to the journal. Place the upper bearing half into the connecting rod and after that, fasten Special Tool 8189, the connecting rod guides. Hit below the piston with a hammer handle as you bring the connecting rod toward the journal. Remove the connecting rod guides, but don't put them back with the older connecting rod cap bolts. Dip the threads of the bolts in some clean engine oil, put the lower bearing half in the cap and then slide on the connecting rod cap. Tighten all the bolts just enough to mark them, then alternate each bolt 5 times to 27 Nm (20 ft. lbs.) and then tighten an additional 1/4 of a turn without using a torque wrench. Set the side clearance on the connecting rods and then position the Balance Shaft Carrier Assembly, oil pan and cylinder head again.

OEM 2004 Dodge Stratus Piston

6 Pistons found

2004 Dodge Stratus Vibration Damper Part Number: 5142303AB

2004 Dodge Stratus Piston Part Number: 5018627AD

2004 Dodge Stratus Piston Part Number: MD357067

2004 Dodge Stratus Piston Part Number: MD357068

2004 Dodge Stratus Piston Part Number: MD367089

2004 Dodge Stratus Piston Part Number: MD357066

2004 Dodge Stratus Piston Parts and Q&A

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