OEM 2006 Dodge Dakota Rod Bearing

2006 Dodge Dakota Rod Bearing Parts and Q&A

• Q: How to Inspect and Replace Rod Bearings on 2006 Dodge Dakota?

  A: Look for evidence of scoring and normal wear in the connecting rod bearings. If any rim is distorted, damaged, cracked or looks abnormal, replace it. Look for scoring, nicks or burrs on the journals of the connecting rods, as bent rods can result in unusually worn pistons, piston rings, cylinder walls, connecting rod bearings and crankshaft connecting rod journals. If the rod wearing or damages confirm a misalignment, check its position and change any that are crooked, twisted or bent. Lubricate the upper bearing insert after cleaning the connecting rod portion and then fit and centralize it in the rod. Check the depth at two points and ensure it's less than 0.50mm (.0196 inch). Take care to have the oil slinger on the rod point towards the front and the F near the piston pointed towards the front as you install the assembly with the piston ring compressor and the special tool. While centering the lower bearing insert in the bearing cap, put a ribbon of Plastigage across the full width of the lower insert at the center of the cap and make certain it does not break. Fix the bearing cap and the connecting rod onto the journal and set all bolts at 27 Nm (20 ft. lbs.) plus 90° without moving the crankshaft. Pull off the bearing cap and check the width of the compressed Plastigage to find out the bearing-to-journal clearance. This should be the same along the entire insert, because inconsistencies might be because of a tapered journal, bent rod or another cause. When the clearance is within limits, unwrap the Plastigage and continue with installation; for surplus clearance, find the suitable set of bearings and always forget to use reusable bolts on the connecting rods, because they are Torque to Yield and cannot be used twice. Repeat the Plastigage measurement before final assembly to confirm the bearing is adequate and when the proper insert is chosen, fix it and affix the cap, tightening the connecting rod bolts to 27 Nm (20 ft. lbs.) plus 90° of torque. After that, tidily insert a feeler gauge into the space between the connecting rod and the flange on the crankshaft. If the side clearance is not correct, remove the connecting rod.