OEM 2006 Dodge Ram 3500 Piston

2006 Dodge Ram 3500 Piston Parts and Q&A

• Q: How to Replace a Piston and Its Connecting Rod on 2006 Dodge Ram 3500?

  A: First, separate the negative cable from the battery to remove and replace the piston and connecting rod. After that, take out the oil pan and gasket/windage tray, the cylinder head covers, the timing chain cover and both cylinder heads. Use a good ridge reamer when necessary to get rid of the excess ridge in the cylinder bores while you keep the pistons covered. Take out the piston and connecting rod assemblies from above the cylinder block by rotating the crankshaft until the connecting rod is centered in its cylinder. Do not mark the connecting rods or caps with stamps or punches so they are not damaged and mark their positions anyway using a permanent marker or scribe so they will be put together correctly. After removing the cap from the connecting rod, add the connecting rod guides to the removed rod using Special Tool 8507 and remove each piston from the cylinder bore as well. When you remove the bearing, securely fit the bearing cap on the connecting rod before damage can occur. Remove the piston rings from the top of each piston to bottom and clean the pistons with a safe solvent that does not destroy the Moly plastic coating. Examine the journal of the connecting rod for signs of wear, change in diameter and grooves and check the connecting rod for indications of being bent or twisted. Verify that the piston is smooth and free from a taper, elliptical shape or marks and check the ring lands carefully for any damage. Before putting it in your engine, place the rings on the piston, let the piston head and rings soak in clean engine oil and use a ring compressor to keep the rings in position. Coat the bearing with clean engine oil and fit Special Tool 8507 Connecting Rod Guides onto each connecting rod bolt. The pistons feature a raised F or arrow that shows the right side for installation which faces forward on all cylinders. Put engine oil on a clean and well-lubricated cylinder bore and turn the crankshaft until you have the right positioning of the rod journal. Insert the rod and piston into the bore. While tapping the piston with a hammer handle, put the connecting rod in the right spot on the rod journal. When any of the Torque to Yield Bolts are loosened or removed, change them, sprinkle a little oil on them and the bearing surfaces, place the connecting rod cap and bearings in place and tighten those bolts to 21 Nm (15 ft. lbs.) after finishing a 90° turn. Remove both cylinder heads and once cleaned, bolt them back on, replacing the cylinder head covers and intake manifold, along with the gasket/windage tray in the oil pan. Add proper oil inside the crankcase, up to the correct level, reconnect the negative cable to the battery and make sure there are no gaps between the oil pan and crankcase.