OEM 2006 Dodge Durango Crankshaft

2006 Dodge Durango Crankshaft Parts and Q&A

• Q: How to Extract the Crankshaft from an Engine on 2006 Dodge Durango?

  A: Start by removing the engine from your vehicle and then take out the engine oil pump before you remove the crankshaft. Be careful not to try prying apart the oil pan gasket, since it is attached at three points to the block and cannot be removed from the oil pan alone. Also, remove the mounting bolts for the bedplate from the cylinder head, register the positions of the two stud bolts, pull apart the connecting rods from the crankshaft and keep the important sealing surface between the bedplate and cylinder block intact. The bedplate should be treated with care because the lower main bearing halves are inside and dropping it can potentially cause harsh damage to the crankshaft. Using the special pry points fitted into the bedplate, loosen and remove the bedplate and then remove the crankshaft carefully so you don't damage its bearings. Be sure to examine the rod bearing bores and main bearing bores for any noticeable scoring, blueing or serious scratches because additional disassembly could be required. When the connecting rod bearing bores are damaged, removing the cylinder heads allows the piston and rod assemblies to be repaired; an engine replacement is necessary if the bedplate or cylinder block main bearing bores are affected. If the main bearing needs replacement, remove the halves from the cylinder block and bedplate, tidy up the sealing surfaces and main bearing bores and carefully inspect the bedplate bores for damage or excessive blueing to decide if the engine must be changed. Please verify if the crankshaft thrust washers have signs of damage or wear and change them if found and also make sure the oil pan gasket/windage tray does not have any splits or cracks and replace it if you discover them. Installation requires main bearings to be select fit, so remember to check your bearing selection. Don't scratch or damage the crankshaft's bearing areas and apply sealant to the screws that hold the tone wheel. Oil the top part of the main bearing halves with clean engine oil, slide in the crankshaft and fit the thrust washers. No oil leaks will be possible if the mating surface between the bedplate and cylinder block is coated with Mopar Engine RTV sealant and cleaned thoroughly. Lubricate the mating face with 2.5 mm of Mopar Engine RTV sealant, wear engine oil on each crankshaft main bearing journal and then place the bedplate onto the cylinder block. Before putting in the bedplate hold down bolts, clean them with some engine oil and then install all the bolts in the proper locations. Err on the side of caution and tighten them in the sequence suggested by the mechanic. Screw down specific bolts so the bedplate touches the block, then tighten others to 54 Nm (40 ft. lbs.), then tighten again to 7 Nm (5 ft. lbs.) and turn rotated another 90°. After that, tighten the last bolts to 27 Nm (20 ft. lbs.), check crankshaft end play, fit the connecting rods and check side clearance, then reinstall the oil pump and the engine.