OEM Jeep Liberty Rod Bearing

Jeep Liberty Rod Bearing Parts and Q&A

• Bearings
  5174612AA
  Q: How to Maintain and Fix a Rod Bearing on Jeep Liberty?

  A:

  First, use Plastigage to check the clearance inside the connecting rod bearing and do not use the same bolts to secure the bearing. Apply oil from the engine lubricant to the old threads before you put in your new bolts. Tighten each bolt just enough for it to hold and then torque them with alternating hands to correctly join the cap. Screw each bolt until you reach 27 Nm (20 ft. lbs.) extra 1/4 turn without using a torque wrench for this step. Also, verify the clearing between the connecting rod and cylinder wall with a feeler gauge.
• Bearings
  68052222AB
  Q: How to Inspect and Replace Rod Bearings to Ensure Proper Alignment and Clearance on Jeep Liberty?

  A:

  Check the rod bearings for signs of scoring, worn patterns, grooving, fatigue and pitting and change those that are worn unusually. Make sure there are no scoring, nicks or burrs on the journals for the connecting rods, because little issues with their proper alignment can harm the Pistons, piston rings, cylinder walls, their bearing and the crankshaft journals. Should unusual wear or damage hint at a misalignment, examine the connecting rod to be sure it is vertically aligned and correct any bent or twisted rods with replacements. Clean excess oil from the connecting rod journal, grease the upper bearing insert and then insert it into the rod, centered in place. With the piston ring compressor and Special Tool 8507, put in the rod and piston assemblies so that the slots of the oil slinger are on the facing edge of the engine and the F's on the piston show the way the engine starts. Put the lower bearing insert into the bearing cap so it is centered and then lay a Plastigage strip over its whole length at the center. Set the cap and connecting rod on the journal and use 27 Nm (20 ft. lbs.) on each bolt, loosening them by a 90-degree turn without moving the crankshaft to keep the Plastigage clean. Measuring the width of the compressed Plastigage gives you the clearance between the bearing and the journal, then you should check that distance against the engine's specifications. If the clearance is good, unmount the Plastigage and install the bearings; if it is beyond spec, replace the bearings and remember to replace the connecting rod bolts every time. Test the plastigage measurement a second time to confirm the correct bearing and after selecting, fit the insert and the cap, securing everything with tightened bolts at 27 Nm (20 ft. lbs.) plus a 90-degree turn. Finally, insert a suitable feeler gauge between the connecting rod and crankshaft journal flange, checking to see if the side clearance meets what the engine requires and change the connecting rod if it is over or under specification.