11 21 531 Replacing all crankshaft main bearing shells (N63) without hybrid drive: Notes

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2011 BMW 750xi, 2011 BMW 750Lxi, 2010 BMW 750xi, and 2010 BMW 750Lxi. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Special tools required

IMPORTANT: Risk of injury from sharp edge of housing.

IMPORTANT: If a crankcase or a crankshaft is replaced, old and new identifications can be used.
A mixed installation is permissible.

Example:

An old crankcase with an old crankcase designation and a new crankshaft with a new crankshaft designation.

An old crankshaft with an older crankshaft designation and a new crankcase with a new crankcase designation.

Or a new crankcase with a new crankshaft with new identifications.

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Remove CRANKSHAFT

NOTE: The main bearing caps 1 to 5 are marked with numbers.

Fig 1: Identifying Main Bearing Caps Marked With Numbers

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Observe crankshaft construction stage:

S: Series

B: Repair stage 1

C: Repair stage 2

The letters denote the bearing shell classification for the relevant bearing position from 1 to 5 (main bearing cap).

The first letter on the left applies to the first bearing position at the front on the timing chain drive.

Color assignment on crankshaft 1 to 5

Y= yellow

G= green

V= violet

Fig 2: Identifying Color Assignment On Crankshaft

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

The letters denote the bearing shell classification for the relevant bearing position from 1 to 5 in the crankcase and is located on the transmission side in the Vee. The first letter on the left applies to the first bearing position at the front on the timing chain drive.

Color assignment in crankcase 1 to 5.

Y= yellow

G= green

V= violet

Fig 3: Identifying Color Assignment On Crankshaft

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

IMPORTANT: New bearing shell classification.

The letters denote the bearing shell classification for the relevant bearing position from 1 to 5 (main bearing cap).

The first letter on the left applies to the first bearing position at the front on the timing chain drive.

Color assignment on crankshaft 1 to 5

Fig 4: Identifying Color Assignment On Crankshaft

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

IMPORTANT: Changed bearing classification:
Bearing position 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

Code letter	Color code
New (A to H)	Yellow
Old Y	Yellow
New (I to R) Old G	Green Green
New (S is Z) Old V	Violet

	Tolerance classes	Bearing shell covers
Crankcase A	B C D E G H	Yellow Yellow
Crankcase	I C M N P q R	Green Green
Crankcase	S T U W X Z	Violet
Crankshaft	A B C D E G H	Yellow Yellow
Crankshaft	I C M N P q R	Green Green
Crankshaft	S T U W X Z	Violet

Installation note:

Install main bearing shells (1) with lubrication groove in crankcase.

Install main bearing shells (2) without lubrication groove in the main bearing caps.

Fig 5: Identifying Main Bearing Shells (With And Without Lubrication Groove)

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

NOTE: Main bearing cap number 3 can be identified by the surfaces (1) for the thrust washers of the thrust bearing.

Fig 6: Identifying Thrust Bearing Surface

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Turn back thread support bushing into main bearing cap.

Fig 7: Turning Back Thread Support Bushing Into Main Bearing Cap

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.