FREE REPAIR MANUALS & LABOR GUIDES 1982-2013 Vehicles
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Crankshaft Main Bearing: Service and Repair




11 21 531 - Replacing all crankshaft main bearings (N54)





Special tools required:
- 00 2 590 00 2 590 Plastigage (5)
- 11 4 470 11 4 470 Cleaning Kit
- 11 8 510 11 8 510 Gauge





Important!
Aluminium screws/bolts must be replaced each time they are released.

Aluminium screws/bolts are permitted with and without color coding (blue).

For reliable identification:

Aluminium screws/bolts are not magnetic.

Jointing torque and angle of rotation must be observed without fail (risk of damage).





Necessary preliminary tasks:
- Remove crankshaft Service and Repair





Check setting of oil spray nozzles, adjusting if necessary:

Attach special tool 11 8 510 11 8 510 Gauge to bolt connection on main bearing and secure with bolt (1).

Installation Note:
Oil nozzle must be located precisely in groove of special tool 11 8 510 11 8 510 Gauge.

If necessary, adjust oil nozzle.





Adjust oil nozzle.

Release screw (1).

Tightening torque 11 11 5AZ 11 11 Engine Block.





Remove bearing shells (2) and (3).

Note:
Guide bearing shell (3) is a thrust bearing.

Observe bearing classification.





Installation Note:
Bearing shell (1) with lubricant groove must be fitted in crankcase upper section.

Bearing shell (2) without lubricant groove must be fitted in crankcase lower section (bedplate).

Important!
Allocation of bearing points:

Bearing point 1 is at the front on the timing chain drive in the direction of travel.





Main bearing classification (1) for crankcase lower half (bedplate), code numbers 1 2 3, see table.

Observe bearing classification.

Bearing classification (2) of connecting rods Service and Repair code letters b and r.





Main bearing classification (1) in crankcase, code letters A / B or C, see table.

Installation Note:
When all the letters and number code have been determined, the bearing shell color must be allocated.





Installation Note:
The letter/number combination produces a bearing shell pairing.

Identification by different colors.

Important!
First bearing point is on the timing drive.

The color combination Yellow and Red must not be fitted.

Engine damage will result if excessively small bearing play is determined.





Code letters on crankcase:

Code letter A = bearing shell (1) color Yellow.

Code letter B = bearing shell (1) color Green.

Code letter C = bearing shell (1) color Red.

Code numbers on crankshaft:

Code number 1 = bearing shell (2) Yellow.

Code number 2 = bearing shell (2) Green.

Code number 3 = bearing shell (2) Red.

Important!
The color combination Yellow and Red must not be fitted; the bearing colors Green/Green must be selected for this color combination, see table.





Installation example:

For bearing 1 with code letter A on the crankcase and code number 1 on the crankshaft bearing shell (1) with the color Yellow is required for the crankcase and bearing shell (2) with the color Yellow for the crankcase lower half (bedplate).

Bearing 2: - A and 2 colors Yellow and Green.
Bearing 3: - B and 2 colors Green and Green.
Bearing 4: - C and 2 colors Red and Green.
Bearing 5: - B and 1 colors Green and Yellow.
Bearing 6: - C and 3 colors Red and Red.
Bearing 7: - C and 1 colors Green and Green.
The color combination Yellow and Red must not be fitted.

Installation Note:
Possible color combinations for mounting the crankshaft in the crankcase.









Insert all bearing shells (2 and 3).

Important!
Clean sealing surfaces.

Do not clean sealing faces with a metal-cutting tool.

Clean sealing faces with special tool 11 4 470 11 4 470 Cleaning Kit only.
Determine bearing play with special tool 00 2 590 00 2 590 Plastigage (5).

Installation Note:
All measuring points must be free from oil and grease.

Use used screws to determine bearing play.

Set up crankcase lower section (bedplate) with bearing shells.





Remove crankcase lower section (bedplate).

Read off bearing play at width of flattened plastic thread and measurement scale.

Crankshaft bearing clearance radial.

Installation Note:
Remove plastic thread.

Apply a light coat of oil to bearing shells and crankshaft.





Install crankcase lower section (bedplate).

Assemble engine.