OEM 2006 Jeep Liberty Piston

2006 Jeep Liberty Piston Parts and Q&A

• Q: How to Remove and Replace Engine Pistons on 2006 Jeep Liberty?

  A: Before removing and replacing pistons, you should first disconnect the battery's negative cable. After that, remove the oil pan and gasket/windage tray, the cylinder head covers, the timing chain cover and each cylinder head. When needed, make sure to use a good ridge reamer to eliminate the ridge at the top of the cylinder bores for the pistons' proper cover. By turning the crankshaft, the pistons and connecting rods must be removed from the cylinder block so each connecting rod sits sideways in its cylinder bore. Making the mistake of number stamping or punching the connecting rods or caps can impair them, so use a permanent ink marker or scribe tool to mark their position without damaging the joint faces. Remove the cap screwing into the connecting rod and place Special Tool 8507 Connecting Rod Guides into the connecting rod you removed, then take out each piston by hand from its bore. As soon as possible, put the bearing cap onto the end of the rod it was connected to, to stop any potential damage. Prevent damage to the Moly coating by skipping wire wheels and abrasive cleaners on your pistons and connecting rods and use a solvent in warm water to clean them. Check the large journal on the connecting rod for extra wear, slope or marks and see if the connecting rod has any signs of twisting or bending. Do not overlook piston tapering, any shaping, pitting, ring land cracks or anything on the skirt walls. First install the piston rings, then apparate the piston head and rings into satisfactory clean engine oil, cover them with a ring compressor and tighten the compressor to ensure the rings remain stable. Slide the bearing onto the connecting rod, making sure the tabs and parting line are correctly aligned and then lubricate the bearing with clean engine oil. Place Special Tool 8507 inside the connecting rod bolt holes. An F should be visible on the edge of each piston, pointing toward the front of the engine on both sides and the oil slinger opening on the connecting rod should face the same way. Lubricate and then clean the cylinder bore with engine oil, then continue spinning the crankshaft until the connecting rod journal is in the center. Set the rod and piston into the cylinder, putting the connecting rod onto the journal as you tap the piston down with a hammer handle. Be sure to note that connecting rod bolts are Torque to Yield and therefore are meant for only one use; remove and replace them when the bolts are loosened or taken out. Oil the rod bolts and the area inside the bearing and then install both, closing with a nut tightened to 27 Nm (20 ft. lbs.) plus 90°. After everything is installed, refill the crankcase with the correct engine oil, connect the negative battery cable and you're ready to go.