OEM 2006 Jeep Wrangler Piston

2006 Jeep Wrangler Piston Parts and Q&A

• Q: How to Remove and Install Pistons and Connecting Rods in an Engine on 2006 Jeep Wrangler?

  A: The removal of the pistons and connecting rods is not possible until the cylinder head has been moved. Remove the upper ridge from each cylinder bore with a good ridge reamer, covering the tops of the pistons and mark all pistons with their cylinder number. After that, take out the oil pan and mark the side of every rod and cap with the corresponding cylinder number. You will notice that there is a directional stamp onto the pistons' front half, facing the engine front. With the crankshaft directly above each connecting rod, turn it to line the rod up, take out the Balance Shaft Assembly, remove the connecting rod cap bolts and slowly pull out each piston and rod from the cylinder bore so as not to harm the crankshaft journals. With the bearings removed, install the bearing cap onto the mating rod because the assembly includes the piston and rod when it is serviced. When installing, set the oil ring so its ends are lined up with the gaps in the rail and be sure the compression ring gaps are mismatched. First, wash the piston head and rings with clean oil, then cover the top of the piston using the ring compressor so the rings don't shift. There should be a front-facing directional stamp on the piston. Rotate the crankshaft until the connecting rod journal is even in the bore, fit the rod and piston assembly and move the rod over the crankshaft journal. Make sure the connecting rod is in line with the journal as you tap the piston down into the cylinder bore with a hammer handle. Before installing, coat each new connecting rod cap bolt with clean oil, ensure all the bolts are sitting in place and torque them breaking the bolt at specified intervals without a torque wrench. Lastly, seal the bolts to 54 Nm and another quarter turn, then check the spacing on the connecting rod side with a feeler gauge.