Rod bearings replaced at 70k miles

Z K · 07-31-2017, 03:32 PM

I had the rod bearings replaced at 70k miles on my car.

After pulling out the bearings, it looks like I caught them at a good time! The bearings looked pretty badly worn. All the bearings were showing copper and one bearing looked like it was torn down the middle. The tech said that it doesn't look like the engine would last much longer with the state of my bearings.

Two of the BE rod bolts from ARP would not thread in to the connecting rod. It looks like someone at ARP messed up in the machining of the bolt. The bolt heads looks slightly different than the others. The tech stopped mid install and called me about it. I called the vendor who sent me two bolts via next day air. Definitely thankful for a fast turn around! The rest of the install went without a hitch.

I also replaced the engine mounts... at 70k, they were pretty beat up. With the new mounts, the car is so smooth, shifting is smooth and a vibration on the highway I always thought was because of an unevenly worn tire went away completely. Engine mounts definitely made an improvement I can feel immediately.

buddalun · 07-31-2017, 05:48 PM

Thanks for sharing. BE Bearings?

b4hand · 07-31-2017, 06:00 PM

What yr is your car?

Z K · 07-31-2017, 06:19 PM

I replaced them with BE Bearings. My car is a 2008 model.

OzCraig · 07-31-2017, 09:50 PM

Very interesting!!!
I had the exact same situation with my BE/ARP bolts not fitting! Ended up having to pay almost double for the only other ones on the shelf... on a Saturday

I'm guessing it was a machining or finishing error.

Cheers,
Craig

behemveh · 07-31-2017, 11:57 PM

Who did the bearing replacement (assuming you recommend them). I'm also in the Bay Area and will need to do this soon. 2008 e90. Only 40 K miles but I'm skittish about this...

Razif · 08-01-2017, 02:09 AM

Damn what is up with this bolts not fitting?? BE send the wrong bolts or what? This is discouraging...

Helmsman · 08-01-2017, 03:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dumitru Ivanov

Not bad. Quite a long life if you ask me. I usually change them around 50k.

Usually change them at 50k... at what mileage are you bud?

ImolaMoop · 08-01-2017, 03:53 AM

Is it just the photo or did they completely miss the chamfer lead in cut on the bad ones? Even the least competent Chinese machine shop wouldn't put that out.

thetastelingers · 08-01-2017, 06:37 AM

This is not the first time I've heard about someone having an issue with ARP bolts lately.

On a different forum even.

Makes me wonder to even go with them when I swap my bearings over.

pbonsalb · 08-01-2017, 08:33 AM

I would certainly order them and take a look before trying to use them. It is no fun to be in the middle of a job you hope to work through quickly and find parts don't fit that take days to get.

Z K · 08-02-2017, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OzCraig

Very interesting!!!
I had the exact same situation with my BE/ARP bolts not fitting! Ended up having to pay almost double for the only other ones on the shelf... on a Saturday

I'm guessing it was a machining or finishing error.

Cheers,
Craig

I think since these BE ARP bolts are custom made, the machining may be a little off depending on the batch or machinist that is doing the job. Did you have multiple bad bolts? Or was it just a few?

The job got delayed a day to get replacement bolts. I can see this would be a very big issue if there were no spares from the vendor available in the middle of the install though!

Z K · 08-02-2017, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

I would certainly order them and take a look before trying to use them. It is no fun to be in the middle of a job you hope to work through quickly and find parts don't fit that take days to get.

It is very hard to tell the difference... they look nearly identical on inspection until you actually thread it in. It is only after trying to thread it that you notice something is different. They come shrink wrapped as well which make it harder to tell if you don't open the package.

OzCraig · 08-02-2017, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Z K

I think since these BE ARP bolts are custom made, the machining may be a little off depending on the batch or machinist that is doing the job. Did you have multiple bad bolts? Or was it just a few?

The job got delayed a day to get replacement bolts. I can see this would be a very big issue if there were no spares from the vendor available in the middle of the install though!

Heya,

Yeah after trying through to bolt number 6 Alastair threw in the towel.

C

-BEASTMW- · 08-03-2017, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by behemveh

Who did the bearing replacement (assuming you recommend them). I'm also in the Bay Area and will need to do this soon. 2008 e90. Only 40 K miles but I'm skittish about this...

x2, in for this.

Z K · 08-03-2017, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -BEASTMW-

x2, in for this.

You can PM me if you'd like to know. They are not a vendor on this forum but has been mentioned before in other posts.

deansbimmer · 08-04-2017, 03:20 PM

I've also experienced issues with a few of BE's ARP bolts not wanting to thread into the rod.

I took one to a bent rod I had on the bench to play with the issue. Once I threaded it in all the way I was able to unscrew it by hand, and back in with no effort. Seems like it chased the threads. Doing that with the ARP bolt didn't hamper the way the OEM bolt threaded in afterwards either. Just an interesting anecdote.

Z K · 08-07-2017, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deansbimmer

I've also experienced issues with a few of BE's ARP bolts not wanting to thread into the rod.

I took one to a bent rod I had on the bench to play with the issue. Once I threaded it in all the way I was able to unscrew it by hand, and back in with no effort. Seems like it chased the threads. Doing that with the ARP bolt didn't hamper the way the OEM bolt threaded in afterwards either. Just an interesting anecdote.

My installer found another set of rod bolts that has problems threading in. It is happening frequently enough that he is thinking of stocking spare rod bolts just in case he runs into a bad batch mid install. He can't afford the down time to wait for replacements for defective bolts. He does multiple rod bearing jobs every month. Having even one bad rod bolt backs up his whole schedule with cars on the lift that can't be finished.

Not all of us have spare rods to thread bolts into and the possibility of cross threading or causing other problems forcing the bolt into the rod is high... better to not force it.

The solution is for someone to make ARP fix their machining issues.

deseroner · 08-07-2017, 05:08 PM

Make me another victim wrong be arp bolt , we had to order another batch

pbonsalb · 08-07-2017, 08:01 PM

Looks like it is just the initial thread. I don't think chasing it would affect bolt torque.

07-31-2017, 03:32 PM	#1
Z K Major General 1889 Rep 5,506 Posts Drives: E90 M3, G20 M340i Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (3)	Rod bearings replaced at 70k miles I had the rod bearings replaced at 70k miles on my car. After pulling out the bearings, it looks like I caught them at a good time! The bearings looked pretty badly worn. All the bearings were showing copper and one bearing looked like it was torn down the middle. The tech said that it doesn't look like the engine would last much longer with the state of my bearings. Two of the BE rod bolts from ARP would not thread in to the connecting rod. It looks like someone at ARP messed up in the machining of the bolt. The bolt heads looks slightly different than the others. The tech stopped mid install and called me about it. I called the vendor who sent me two bolts via next day air. Definitely thankful for a fast turn around! The rest of the install went without a hitch. I also replaced the engine mounts... at 70k, they were pretty beat up. With the new mounts, the car is so smooth, shifting is smooth and a vibration on the highway I always thought was because of an unevenly worn tire went away completely. Engine mounts definitely made an improvement I can feel immediately. Attached Images __________________ Auto Detailing Enthusiast!
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07-31-2017, 05:48 PM	#2
buddalun Lieutenant Colonel 679 Rep 1,934 Posts Drives: 911 x 2, Tesla M3P & MYP Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: USA iTrader: (7)	Thanks for sharing. BE Bearings?
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07-31-2017, 06:00 PM	#3
b4hand Captain 661 Rep 966 Posts Drives: 2011 ZCP M3 Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (3)	What yr is your car?
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07-31-2017, 06:19 PM	#4
Z K Major General 1889 Rep 5,506 Posts Drives: E90 M3, G20 M340i Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (3)	I replaced them with BE Bearings. My car is a 2008 model. __________________ Auto Detailing Enthusiast!
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07-31-2017, 09:50 PM	#5
OzCraig Private First Class 64 Rep 170 Posts Drives: 09 E90, DCT, Space Grey Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Sydney AU iTrader: (0)	Very interesting!!! I had the exact same situation with my BE/ARP bolts not fitting! Ended up having to pay almost double for the only other ones on the shelf... on a Saturday I'm guessing it was a machining or finishing error. Cheers, Craig
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07-31-2017, 11:57 PM	#6
behemveh Private 11 Rep 50 Posts Drives: 2008 e90 M3 6MT SG Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: California - SF Bay iTrader: (0)	Who did the bearing replacement (assuming you recommend them). I'm also in the Bay Area and will need to do this soon. 2008 e90. Only 40 K miles but I'm skittish about this...
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08-01-2017, 02:09 AM	#7
Razif Private First Class 29 Rep 151 Posts Drives: Bmw e92 m3 Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia iTrader: (0)	Damn what is up with this bolts not fitting?? BE send the wrong bolts or what? This is discouraging...
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08-01-2017, 03:53 AM	#9
ImolaMoop New Member 51 Rep 32 Posts Drives: Sold Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Shenzhen China iTrader: (0)	Is it just the photo or did they completely miss the chamfer lead in cut on the bad ones? Even the least competent Chinese machine shop wouldn't put that out.
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08-01-2017, 06:37 AM	#10
thetastelingers Master Baiter 4171 Rep 634 Posts Drives: 18 M2 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Soddy Daisy iTrader: (1) Garage List 2018 BMW M3 SOLD [10.00] 2018 BMW M2 [9.67]	This is not the first time I've heard about someone having an issue with ARP bolts lately. On a different forum even. Makes me wonder to even go with them when I swap my bearings over.
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08-01-2017, 08:33 AM	#11
pbonsalb Lieutenant General 5234 Rep 10,616 Posts Drives: 18 F90 M5, 99 E36 M3 Turbo Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: New England iTrader: (4)	I would certainly order them and take a look before trying to use them. It is no fun to be in the middle of a job you hope to work through quickly and find parts don't fit that take days to get.
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08-04-2017, 03:20 PM	#17
deansbimmer BimmerPost Supporting Vendor 3751 Rep 2,907 Posts Drives: 2011 E93 M3 Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: DFW, Texas iTrader: (17) Garage List 1988 BMW M3 [0.00] 2013 BMW M3 [0.00] 2011 X5M [0.00] 2011 BMW M3 [0.00]	I've also experienced issues with a few of BE's ARP bolts not wanting to thread into the rod. I took one to a bent rod I had on the bench to play with the issue. Once I threaded it in all the way I was able to unscrew it by hand, and back in with no effort. Seems like it chased the threads. Doing that with the ARP bolt didn't hamper the way the OEM bolt threaded in afterwards either. Just an interesting anecdote.
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08-07-2017, 05:08 PM	#19
deseroner First Lieutenant 78 Rep 398 Posts Drives: Jerez black e92 m3 coupe 2009 Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Pinole,CALI USA iTrader: (5)	Make me another victim wrong be arp bolt , we had to order another batch Attached Images __________________ 09 Jerez black coupe . 275/35/19 mss rear,Alex alpine gts dct software with some coding(euro mdm,DVD in ,mirrors fold on lock ) , rogue engineering pulleys ,TTFS TUNE . Eibach springs . New brake front rotors with new hawk pads no rear pads. Rd front sway bar.ACTIVE AUTOWERKE TEST PIPES .csf dct cooler ,BE BEARINGS/BE ARP BOLTS,vibra road e/mounts
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08-07-2017, 08:01 PM	#20
pbonsalb Lieutenant General 5234 Rep 10,616 Posts Drives: 18 F90 M5, 99 E36 M3 Turbo Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: New England iTrader: (4)	Looks like it is just the initial thread. I don't think chasing it would affect bolt torque.
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