Assign crankshaft bearing shells - AR03.20-P-4360-01SX

ENGINE 273 

1. Clean crankshaft bearing points in crankcase, crankshaft bearing cap and crankshaft journal for crankshaft with a chamois leather.

   If a bearing damage has occurred, it may be necessary to remove any swarf from the connecting rod bores, the crankshaft and crankcase oil galleries as well as the crankcase!

   Do not use any hard objects for cleaning.

   Blow through oil galleries in direction of flow oil with compressed air.

   The top crankshaft bearing shells are assigned to the crankcase by means of color codings (on the reverse side of the crankshaft bearing shells) and numbers which are stamped on the crankcase (see arrows).

   Only assigned color and numerical combinations (see table) may be fitted together. 

   Fig 1: Locating Color Codings And Numbers On Crankshaft Bearing Shells & Crankcase

   Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ USA

   Assignment of the bottom crankshaft bearing shells to the crankshaft journal is by means of letters (initial letter of the particular color).

   The initial letters of the particular colors are engraved on the front journal of the crankshaft (arrow).

   The color coding on the lower crankshaft bearing shell is located on its rear side.

   When installing the crankshaft bearing shells, it is important to keep to the order of the colors which is engraved on the crankshaft journal! 

   Fig 2: Crankshaft Bearing Shells Colors Coding Letters On Front Journal

   Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ USA

   Example: 

   Arrow identifies direction of travel.

   • First letter "b"  : A crankshaft bearing shell with the color coding blue  must be inserted in the crankshaft bearing cap (1).
   • Second letter "g"  : A crankshaft bearing shell with the color coding yellow  must be inserted in the crankshaft bearing cap (2).
   • Third letter "r"  : A crankshaft bearing shell with the color coding red  must be inserted in the crankshaft bearing cap (3).
   • Fourth letter "w"  : A crankshaft bearing shell with the color coding white  must be inserted in the crankshaft bearing cap (4).
   • Fifth letter "r"  : A crankshaft bearing shell with the color coding red  must be inserted in the crankshaft bearing cap (5).
     Fig 3: Crankshaft Bearing Shells Color Coding Letters

     Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ USA
2. Lubricate top crankshaft bearing shells (1) with the oil holes (2) and the oil grooves (3) and insert in the crankcase.

   When doing this ensure that the anti-twist locks (4) for the bearing shell halves (1) are located in the recesses of the crankcase.

3. Lubricate lower crankshaft bearing shell (7) and insert in the crankshaft bearing cap (6).

   When doing this, ensure that the anti-twist locks (5) of the bottom bearing shell halves (7) are located in the recesses of the crankshaft bearing cap (6).

   Fig 4: Top Crankshaft Bearing Shells, Oil Holes And Oil Grooves

   Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ USA
4. Lay crankshaft (7) in the crankcase.
5. Lubricate upper thrust plate (8) and install.

   There is only one fitted bearing width therefore only one washer disc thickness is used.

   The oil grooves of the thrust washers (8) must point toward the crankshaft webs (10).

   Fig 5: Crankshaft, Crankshaft Webs & Thrust Plate

   Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ USA
6. Install the crankshaft bearing cap (2) as per its identification.

   When installing the fit bearing cap (3) hold both thrust plates (8) tight. The anti-twist locks (11) of the lower thrust plates (8) must be located in the slots (12) of the fit bearing cap (3). The oil grooves (9) of the lower thrust plates (8) must point toward the crank webs (10).

   Fig 6: Crankshaft Bearing Cap, Lower Thrust Plates And Crank Webs

   Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ USA