Piston And Connecting Rod

WARNING: This page is about a different variant/trim than selected.

Disconnect negative cable from battery.
Oil pan and gasket/windage tray. See REMOVAL .
Cylinder head covers. See REMOVAL ).
Timing chain cover. (See REMOVAL ).
Cylinder head(s). See REMOVAL .
If necessary, 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. When removing piston and connecting rod assemblies from the engine, rotate crankshaft so the each connecting rod is centered in cylinder bore.
CAUTION: DO NOT use a number stamp or a punch to mark connecting rods or caps, as damage to connecting rods could occur.

Fig 1: Marking Connecting Rod And Bearing Cap Positions
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC

NOTE: Connecting rods and bearing caps are not interchangeable and should be marked before removal to ensure correct reassembly.
Mark connecting rod and bearing cap positions using a permanent ink marker or scribe tool.

Fig 2: Identifying Connecting Rod Proper Installation
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC

1 - WIDE SIDE

2 - NARROW SIDE

CAUTION: Care must be taken not to damage the fractured rod and cap joint face surfaces, as engine damage may occur.

CAUTION: Care must be taken not to nick crankshaft journals, as engine damage may occur.
Remove connecting rod cap. Install Connecting Rod Guides 8507 into the connecting rod being removed. Remove piston from cylinder bore. Repeat this procedure for each piston being removed.
Immediately after piston and connecting rod removal, install bearing cap on the mating connecting rod to prevent damage to the fractured cap and rod surfaces.
Carefully remove piston rings from piston(s).