Piston & Connecting Rod Assembly
WARNING: This page is about a different variant/trim than selected.
- Before removing rod cap from crankshaft, measure and record rod side play. See CONNECTING RODS table under ENGINE SPECIFICATIONS. Before removing connecting rods, remove rod cap. Using plastigage, measure and record connecting rod bearing oil clearance. See CRANKSHAFT, MAIN & CONNECTING ROD BEARINGS table under ENGINE SPECIFICATIONS. Remove piston and rod assemblies.
- Before separating piston from connecting rod, mark piston in relation to connecting rod. Check oscillation movement of piston and rod assembly (hold piston horizontally, lift rod and allow rod to drop by its own weight). If pin binds in pin bore (rod does not drop), replace piston and/or pin as necessary.
- Using a piston ring expander, remove rings. Remove piston pin circlips from piston. Separate piston and rod by tapping on pin using a hammer and Piston Pin Remover/Installer (49-0221-061A).
- Ensure piston pin oil clearance is within specification. See PISTONS, PINS & RINGS table under ENGINE SPECIFICATIONS. Install one piston pin circlip into piston on side without the "F" mark. Apply oil to piston pin and pin bore in piston and connecting rod. Insert pin into piston on side with the "F" mark. Using piston pin remover/installer, tap pin into piston and connecting rod. Ensue oil groove in rod and "F" mark on piston are facing the same side. See Fig 1. Install second piston pin circlip.
- Using a piston ring expander, install piston rings. See PISTON RINGS . Coat cylinder walls and piston rings with oil. Using a ring compressor, install piston and rod assembly into cylinder block, with "F" mark on piston and oil groove on connecting rod, facing front of engine.