OEM 2006 Dodge Dakota Piston Ring Set

2006 Dodge Dakota Piston Ring Set Parts and Q&A

• Q: How to Check and Install a Piston Ring Set on 2006 Dodge Dakota?

  A: Before you use old or place new rings, wipe the cylinder and slide a ring inside to make sure the gap is at least 12 mm (0.50 inch) from the bottom edge of the cylinder bore. Put the ring in the cylinder, moving the piston down, to ensure it is squared and check the gap at each end with a feeler gauge. If there are rings not within acceptable limits, replace them. Check that the grooves in the pistons are clean and free from nicks or burrs. Before measuring the clearance, put the feeler gauge in to make sure it easily slides between the ring and the ring land. Spin the ring around the piston to check that it does so easily, with the manufacturer's marked side going up into the piston near the bottom. Installing the rings in this order: oil ring expander, the upper oil ring side rail first (1), the lower oil ring side rail, No. 2 intermediate piston ring and No. 1 upper piston ring. Put the oil ring expander in before attaching the upper side rail, then pin it between the piston ring groove and expander ring and lower it down until it is in place. You should then do the same for the lower rail. Take care of stepping the No. 2 intermediate piston ring into place and the No. 1 upper piston ring with a piston ring installer. Also, keep the distance between the expander ring and the side rail gaps about 45°, not placing the gap on the piston pin or in the thrust direction.