Piston & Connecting Rod: Removal

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2005 Dodge Stratus and 2005 Chrysler Sebring. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Remove top ridge of cylinder bores with a reliable ridge reamer before removing pistons from cylinder block. Be sure to keep tops of pistons covered during this operation. Pistons and connecting rods must be removed from top of cylinder block. When removing piston and connecting rod assemblies from the engine, rotate crankshaft so that each connecting rod is centered in cylinder bore.
NOTE: Connecting rod bearing caps are not interchangeable and should be marked before removing to ensure correct reassembly.

CAUTION: DO NOT use a number stamp or a punch to mark connecting rods. Damage to connecting rod could occur.
Mark connecting rod and bearing cap positions using a permanent ink marker or scribe tool. See Fig 1.

Fig 1: Marking Connecting Rod & Bearing Cap Position
Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

Fig 2: Connecting Rod Guides
Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

1 - SPECIAL TOOL 8189 CONNECTING ROD GUIDES

CAUTION: Care must be taken not to damage the fractured rod and cap joint face surfaces, as engine damage may occur.
Remove connecting rod cap. Install Special Tool 8189 Connecting Rod Guides into the connecting rod being removed. See Fig 2. Remove each piston and rod assembly out of cylinder bore.
NOTE: Be careful not to nick crankshaft journals.
After removal, install bearing cap on the mating rod to prevent damage to the fractured cap to rod surfaces.