2G Removing main bearing girdle with motor in car

[talontedtsi1995]

Hello, I have a 1995 Eagle Talon TSI FWD and it runs fine no knocks but today I checked the end play of the crank and it came out to be ).035..of which is not good, So I took off the oil pan to maybe replace the bearings, the question I have is, is there anyway to take off the cradle to put bearings in without the crank falling out?

 

[pnishr]

Yes, you can replace the bearings with the engine in the car. The crank will not "fall out" as it protrudes out of both "ends" of the engine (through the front cover, and rear main seal) Just don't let it sit like that without the cradle/bearings on supporting it for long. Order the bearings, THEN take it (cradle) off and replace the bearings at the same time. Or take it off to see what size bearings, then put it back on (bearings too) until the new ones come in. Just be careful removing the upper bearings and replacing them. Get some thin but strong metal (I used a feeler gauge) to push the old ones out (rotate the crank to help) And grease the hell out of the bearing so it goes in easy without scratching the journals.

 

[talontedtsi1995]

yea thats exactly what I was thinking because I have it apart and I have an old crank and thought it would stay in but I just needed a second opinion to be safe..I hope the bearings take away the end play and the crank is alright..The crank and bearings are only a year old with less then 3,000 miles..

 

[ryanvp]

I know this is a super old post but how do you get the cradle off with the engine in the car and the Trans still on? I can't get the socket on the bolt head where rear main seal cover is....

 

[DSMPT]

I know this is a super old post but how do you get the cradle off with the engine in the car and the Trans still on? I can't get the socket on the bolt head where rear main seal cover is....

I don't recommend to do this unless you have a special reason. I don't know what your problem is but usually this would be just a bandaid, and anyways the same issue will occur and you will need to rebuild the engine sooner or later if you have damage on bearings.

Just in case if you want to do this for some reason, you don't need to remove the main seal cover/the front case. Just remove the cradle/main caps and replace only the main bearings without dropping the crankshaft.

 

[ryanvp]

I don't recommend to do this unless you have a special reason. I don't know what your problem is but usually this would be just a bandaid, and anyways the same issue will occur and you will need to rebuild the engine sooner or later if you have damage on bearings.

Just in case if you want to do this for some reason, you don't need to remove the main seal cover/the front case. Just remove the cradle/main caps and replace only the main bearings without dropping the crankshaft.

Thanks, I totally agree. I was racing last weekend and heard a faint knock so I didn't make anymore passes to prevent any issues. I cut open my oil filter and found some copper metallic in there so I dropped the pan and check rod bearings. Found that my cylinder 3 rod bearing had worn but caught it in time b4 any damage happened. So I decided while I was in there, I wanted to check the main bearings to see if there was any damage to those. But I was having a hard time getting a socket on the 2 bolt head closest to the Trans. Luckily I found a thinner socket and was able to get them off. Not sure how the 6 bolt is but I have a 7 bolt. All the bolts are the same size except 2 of them have a 14mm head while all the others are a 17mm head. Wasn't sure if they are supposed to be on the timing belt side or the Trans side. Maybe you know?

 

[DSMPT]

Not sure how the 6 bolt is but I have a 7 bolt. All the bolts are the same size except 2 of them have a 14mm head while all the others are a 17mm head. Wasn't sure if they are supposed to be on the timing belt side or the Trans side. Maybe you know?

Those two smaller head main bolts are only for 7 bolt. Those two bolts should be on the transmission side (Right next the rear seal case).

 

[ryanvp]

Ahhh that makes sense, they were on the the timing side.