Piston, Connecting Rod, and Bearing Installation
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2007 Saturn Vue. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
Tools Required
- J 8037 / J 43953 Piston Ring Compressor. See Special Tools .
- J 45059 Angle Meter. See Special Tools .
- J-43966-1 / J 41742 Connecting Rod Guide Pin. See Special Tools .
- Install the connecting rod bearings. Use the proper size bearings.
- Install the bearing inserts into the connecting rod and the connecting rod cap.
- Lubricate the connecting rod bearings with engine oil.
- Install the J-43966-1 / J 41742 into the connecting rod bolt holes. See Special Tools . This protects the crankshaft journal during piston and connecting rod installation.
- Install the piston and the connecting rod to the correct bore.
- Stagger each piston ring end gap equally around the piston.
- Lubricate the piston and the piston rings with engine oil.
- Install J 8037 / J 43953 over the piston. See Special Tools . Do not disturb the piston ring end gap location.
- The piston must be installed so that the mark on the top of the piston faces the front of the engine.
- Place the piston in its matching bore.
- Tap the piston into its bore with a hammer handle. Guide the connecting rod to the connecting rod journal while tapping the piston into place.
- Hold the J 8037 / J 43953 against the engine block until all the rings have entered the cylinder bore. See Special Tools .
- Remove the connecting rod guides from the connecting rod bolt holes.
- Install the connecting rod cap.
- Install the connecting rod bolts. Always use new bolts.
Tighten: Tighten the connecting rod bolt nuts to 25 N.m (18 lb ft), then rotate 100 degrees using J 45059 . See Special Tools .
- Install the remaining connecting rods and piston assemblies.
- Measure the connecting rod side clearance with a feeler gauge.
The correct clearance is 0.070-0.370 mm (0.0027-0.0145 in).
IMPORTANT:
Ensure that the connecting rod cap is properly oriented on the connecting rod.
NOTE:
Refer to FASTENER NOTICE
in Cautions and Notices.