Rod Bearing Installation Q&A Thread

[///Mobbin]

Time to start on the rod bearings!

[admranger]

Don't forget to lube the cap part of the bolts along with the threads (it is in the ARP instructions, but it's easy to miss).

[///Mobbin]

Just wanted to confirm that this S54 BMW tool I purchased does work with the Dinan pulley to rotate the engine.

[Leonardo629]

I salute you sir, for doing this on jackstands.

Please post pics of the old bearings.

[SYT_Shadow]

You're almost there! And your engine looks so clean inside!!

Do you think the pulleys are a detriment to keeping temps at the track under control?

[///Mobbin]

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

You're almost there! And your engine looks so clean inside!!

Do you think the pulleys are a detriment to keeping temps at the track under control?

Thanks! Taking a break at the moment but likely starting again this afternoon. Regarding pulleys and track temps, I've only ever run the car this way and my temps have been fine. I do try and track during the 'reverse-season' though which for me is September to May.

Going to save my rod bearing comments until I have them all out.

[///Mobbin]

BE rod bearings and BE-ARP rod bolts installed!

2011 e92 m3 - 35k miles

Was it worth it? Take a look.

[SYT_Shadow]

Awesome!!! Good job!!

Your bearings do not look pretty!

[///Mobbin]

Steering shaft alignment key, for those wondering.

[bvrider1]

Thanks for sharing!!!

[SYT_Shadow]

That's the vibratechnics engine mount? holy moly... I don't see how that could be more street friendly than the BW mounts I have now

[admranger]

Originally Posted by ///Mobbin

BE rod bearings and BE-ARP rod bolts installed!

2011 e92 m3 - 35k miles

Was it worth it? Take a look.

Those could have gone a many more miles before they were ejected out the side of the block...how many? No one knows.

They looked a lot like mine.

Great job!

[///Mobbin]

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

That's the vibratechnics engine mount? holy moly... I don't see how that could be more street friendly than the BW mounts I have now

They are mainly metal, interesting design choice for street mounts no doubt. Hoping those inner rubber parts provide some street comfort at least! Will know soon enough.

[///Mobbin]

Originally Posted by bvrider1

Thanks for sharing!!!

Originally Posted by admranger

Those could have gone a many more mile before they were ejected out the side of the block...how many? No one knows.

They looked a lot like mine.

Great job!

Thanks!

[///Mobbin]

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

Awesome!!! Good job!!

Your bearings do not look pretty!

Thanks and thanks again for the DIY, it was essential!!

[SYT_Shadow]

I'm glad it helped!

[roastbeef]

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

That's the vibratechnics engine mount? holy moly... I don't see how that could be more street friendly than the BW mounts I have now

i have the same mounts. they are badass. zero downsides with them.

[Leonardo629]

Originally Posted by ///Mobbin

Steering shaft alignment key, for those wondering.

Mobbin, what method did you use to realign the steering shaft?

[///Mobbin]

Originally Posted by Leonardo629

Mobbin, what method did you use to realign the steering shaft?

Great question. This actually gave me a ton of grief as both my steering wheel and the lower steering sections each moved at some point during the install. At that point I had to improvise (even with the lines drawn on the steering column). I should also point out that I am no expert here, so please look this up elsewhere but I am happy to share what I did. A few things to keep in mind, first, your steering wheel only rotates so many turns in each direction and when centered you need to maintain that so you can have an equal turn radius in each direction. Second, it is highly desirable to have a centered steering wheel when going straight down the road. What I ended up doing is probably not the preferred method but it seemed to work and I am having a new suspension installed and alignment done in a few weeks anyway so small adjustments could be made then if needed. I basically turned the steering wheel full lock each direction, calculated the center point, and then did my best job to center the steering wheel there. I did the same thing with the bottom end, centering each rotor to point straight ahead as best I could. Then of course the alignment keys on the lower steering shaft had to line up as they entered the upper steering wheel shaft receiver. I slowly lowered the sub-frame back up check the steering shaft with each pump of the jack and I made sure the lower steering shaft keys mated to the upper receiver properly as they first engaged. Then actually I had to physically pull the lower steering shaft and upper shaft receiver together at one point as they weren't fully mating on their own, didn't take much force at all, just pulled them tight with my hands.

I had my concerns about this as my steering wheel wasn't perfectly straight after I lowered the car but after driving the car a bit center is actually center and my wheels do appear to turn equally in each direction at full lock. My backup plan was to have the lower steering joints adjusted with my upcoming alignment but I don't think that will be needed (beyond what is typically done in an alignment of course).

Glad you asked and I hope others have some thoughts on this as well.

[pbonsalb]

You can also pull the steering wheel off and move it around a spline or two.

[dbyrd]

You are the man - very impressed, buddy!

[SaNGRia]

Originally Posted by ///Mobbin

BE rod bearings and BE-ARP rod bolts installed!

2011 e92 m3 - 35k miles

Was it worth it? Take a look.

Have you ever sent your oil sample? If so can you share the numbers? And I highly respect Rod bearing replacement on a Jack.