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11 21 531 Replacing all crankshaft main bearing shells (B36A/B38A)

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Special tools required: 

IMPORTANT: Replace main bearing bolts.
There must be no oil in the blind holes (risk of cracking)  .
Do not  wash off bolt coating.
Incorrect assembly of the bearing caps will result in damage to the crankcase.
The code letter K  on the crankcase stands for "Kupplungsseite" (German = clutch end).

Installation note: 

Bearing classification from 1 to 3  (bearing cap) and A to C  (crankcase) possible.

Necessary preliminary tasks: 

Pay attention to the different bearing classification sequences in the crankcase and the bearing caps.

Bearing classification in crankcase: A/B/C 

The code letter (1) K  on the crankcase stands for "Kupplungsseite" (English = clutch end).

The following code letters (4 - 1) describe the bearing positions 4  to 1  from left to right.

Example (see illustration):

Bearing seat 4: 

Code letter B=  green bearing shell with lubricating groove.

Bearing seat 3: 

Code letter B=  green bearing shell with lubricating groove (thrust bearing).

Bearing seat 2: 

Code letter B=  green bearing shell with lubricating groove.

Bearing seat 1: 

Code letter B=  green bearing shell with lubricating groove.

Fig 1: Bearing Classification In Crankcase
G11671308Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Bearing classification in bearing cap: 1/2/3 

The code numbers (1-4) describe the bearing positions 1  to 4  from left to right.

Example (see illustration):

Bearing cap 1: 

Code 2=  green bearing shell without lubricating groove.

Bearing cap 2: 

Code 2=  green bearing shell without lubricating groove.

Bearing cap 3: 

Code 2=  green bearing shell without lubricating groove (thrust bearing).

Fig 2: Bearing Classification In Bearing Cap
G11671309Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Bearing cap 4: 

Code 2=  green bearing shell without lubricating groove.

(A/1) Bearing cap/Blue (A/2) Bearing cap/Green (A/3) Bearing cap/Brown
(A/1) Crankcase/Blue (A/2) Crankcase/Blue (A/3) Crankcase/Blue
(B/1) Bearing cap/Blue (B/2) Bearing cap/Green (B/3) Bearing cap/Brown
(B/1) Crankcase/Green (B/2) Crankcase/Green (B/3) Crankcase/Green
(C/1) Bearing cap/Blue (C/2) Bearing cap/Green (C/3) Bearing cap/Brown
(C/1) Crankcase/Brown (C/2) Crankcase/Brown (C/3) Crankcase/Brown

Enter code letters and numbers for crankcase and crankshaft

Code letters/numbers Bearing seat 1 Bearing seat 2 Bearing seat 3 Bearing seat 4      
Crankcase at top code letter               
Crankshaft at bottom code number               

Remove bearing shells 1 to 4.

Fig 3: Bearing Shells
G11671310Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Place main bearing shell (1) with lubricating groove in crankcase (see arrows).

Observe combination of bearing colors according to the table.

Fig 4: Positioning Bearing Shell Lubricating Groove In Crankcase
G11644996Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Place main bearing shell (1) with no lubricating groove in the bearing cap (see arrows).

NOTE: Note guide lug on main bearing shell (1).

Observe combination of bearing colors according to the table.

Fig 5: Positioning Bearing Shell Lubricating Groove In Bearing Cap
G11644984Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
NOTE: Thrust bearing (1) on the crankshaft is installed at bearing position 3.

Observe combination of bearing colors according to the table.

Fig 6: Thrust Bearing On Crankshaft At Bearing Position 3
G11644987Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Install CRANKSHAFT .

Check side clearance. Refer to technical data for CRANKSHAFT WITH BEARING .

If necessary, check guide bearing shells, crankshaft and engine block.

Fig 7: Checking Crankshaft Side Clearance
G11644971Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Rotate crankshaft (1) with special tool 00 2 010 in direction of arrow.

Check friction value of crankshaft. Refer to technical data for CRANKSHAFT WITH BEARING .

Fig 8: Turning Crankshaft With Special Tool (00 2 010)
G11671307Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.