Best Rod Bearing Replacments

thedge9 · 10-02-2018, 10:10 AM

I have been reading the post's for years now. I have tried to review everything that I could find with regards to replacements. So if this sounds like a question that has been answered numerous times I apologize in advance.

What I am really trying to see is if there is a consensus on the best after market replacement non OEM rod bearings.

I have seen that there are a number of companies that appeared to still be making replacement bearings, including BE, VAC, and ACL. Are there any that I am missing?

I currently have 64,000 miles, with a second stage cold air intake, ESS ECU tune, with full Arkropovic exhaust system. I car is not a daily driver, and it gets a fair bit of track use. This will be my first rod bearing replacment. I am doing it as part of preventative maintenance given the amount of track use that the car gets.

Iyzmi · 10-02-2018, 10:49 AM

The general consensus here leans heavily toward BE bearings and bolts. Some people go with VAC, ACL, or OEM for various reasons, but the majority seem to agree that BE is the best solution based on the very detailed analysis and technical findings they have shared with the community. Not to mention the long list of BMW race shops that support them. Personally, I believe BE bearings are the only true "solution" to the bearing problem but I don't say that as a fact, just a very strong opinion.

pbonsalb · 10-02-2018, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thedge9

I have seen that there are a number of companies that appeared to still be making replacement bearings, including BE, VAC, and ACL. Are there any that I am missing?

There are also WPC treated stock bearings. Today, I would use any of the added clearance bearings.

thedge9 · 10-02-2018, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

There are also WPC treated stock bearings. Today, I would use any of the added clearance bearings.

To that point, has anyone replaced a set of bearings that had the added clearance and can comment on how they were wearing?

Or, has anyone heard of any issues with the added clearance bearings having failures?

mrdoja · 10-02-2018, 01:21 PM

I had mine replaced last week, BE with BE ARP bolts. 65k on engine..I'm sure my bearing wear will be different than yours but mileage was approximately the same. I posted the pics of mine in the Rod Bearing thread on this forum. While I cannot comment on the wear just yet....the piece of mind I now have is priceless...

Scharbag · 10-02-2018, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toolshed

This is my pics of BE rod bearing #8 after 50,000 km on M1 0W-40.
Looks like new.
Outside temps from -25C up to +30C.

This post is over in the Oil thread. After 50,000KM, they look exactly like a bearing should - not worn at all.

Cheers,

thedge9 · 10-02-2018, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scharbag

This post is over in the Oil thread. After 50,000KM, they look exactly like a bearing should - not worn at all.

Cheers,

Were you doing oil analysis prior to seeing them at 50?

Scharbag · 10-02-2018, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thedge9

Were you doing oil analysis prior to seeing them at 50?

Not my post originally, just remembered seeing it there. Toolshed may have more information.

Cheers,

wfdeacon88 · 10-02-2018, 08:16 PM

Why would he use that oil if he had replaced the bearings? It's hard to imagine not using the mfg suggested oil after fixing the bearings.. seems risky, but I'm not one to be the judge of it, just curious.

shimmy23 · 10-02-2018, 08:33 PM

thedge9 · 10-03-2018, 10:14 AM

My local mechanic is actually trying to source a company called KING that I had not heard of nor have seen in any posts. I believe they do mostly after market race bearings and even have some aviation bearings.

Has anyone used their rod bearing's?

BrewRifle · 10-03-2018, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thedge9

My local mechanic is actually trying to source a company called KING that I had not heard of nor have seen in any posts. I believe they do mostly after market race bearings and even have some aviation bearings.

Has anyone used their rod bearing's?

I'd stick to BE. There's no reason to risk using Joe Bob's bearings when BEs exist.

pbonsalb · 10-03-2018, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thedge9

My local mechanic is actually trying to source a company called KING that I had not heard of nor have seen in any posts. I believe they do mostly after market race bearings and even have some aviation bearings.

Has anyone used their rod bearing's?

King is also very good. As is ACL. If King has S65/S85 crank and rod bearings, that would be great.

doogee · 10-03-2018, 02:41 PM

BE or VAC are your best choice.

Currently at 50,000km on my VAC bearings.

pbonsalb · 10-03-2018, 03:05 PM

Unfortunately that does not mean much. I am over 50,000 km on WPC treated stock bearings, which does not mean much, either. Have to know what they look
like to assess. Those BE bearings with 50,00 km in the picture above look good. In a few years we will know more as bearings get changed a second time and we see how they have worn. I am planning to do mine again and will probably pull the motor and do the main bearings as well.

GORDON.M3 · 10-03-2018, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

Unfortunately that does not mean much. I am over 50,000 km on WPC treated stock bearings, which does not mean much, either. Have to know what they look
like to assess. Those BE bearings with 50,00 km in the picture above look good. In a few years we will know more as bearings get changed a second time and we see how they have worn. I am planning to do mine again and will probably pull the motor and do the main bearings as well.

Yup, that's probably my next step if I plan on keeping the M3 long enough.

Scharbag · 10-03-2018, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GORDON.M3

Yup, that's probably my next step if I plan on keeping the M3 long enough.

An while you are in there... STROKER!!!

MaximusB · 10-03-2018, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thedge9

My local mechanic is actually trying to source a company called KING that I had not heard of nor have seen in any posts. I believe they do mostly after market race bearings and even have some aviation bearings.

Has anyone used their rod bearing's?

King Bearing is very reputable in the tuner industry. My tuner shop who does all the work on my other car use King Bearing on their all built engines. They also looked into them when they replaced the bearings on my m3, unfortunately King don't have anything readily available for our engine. It'll have to be a custom made one off, which means $$$$$. So I went with BE.

deansbimmer · 10-04-2018, 05:38 AM

King doesn't have bearings for these engines. Your mechanic needs to get with it and go with what's already available, like BE, which is already proven.

It would be fantastic if King would utilize their resources to make a set of main bearings, but it's probably not likely to happen. We don't need more rod bearing options.

thedge9 · 10-04-2018, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deansbimmer

King doesn't have bearings for these engines. Your mechanic needs to get with it and go with what's already available, like BE, which is already proven.

It would be fantastic if King would utilize their resources to make a set of main bearings, but it's probably not likely to happen. We don't need more rod bearing options.

Thanks for the great feedback.

Be sure to let my local guy here know. When I was on the BE website it appears that their bearings are back ordered until December. Has anyone heard of distributors for their bearings that still have them in stock?

Aktavate · 10-04-2018, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thedge9

Has anyone heard of distributors for their bearings that still have them in stock?

Got mine from bimmerworld

RomanK · 10-08-2018, 03:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wfdeacon88

Why would he use that oil if he had replaced the bearings? It's hard to imagine not using the mfg suggested oil after fixing the bearings.. seems risky, but I'm not one to be the judge of it, just curious.

I use BE with ARP already 50k km now as well. And M1 0-40 all the time.
The Main bearings are stock from factory... Full miliage of my car is 150k km

10-02-2018, 10:10 AM	#1
thedge9 Private 15 Rep 81 Posts Drives: 2013 E92 M3 MT Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Fountian Hills, AZ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 E92 M3 [0.00]	Best Rod Bearing Replacments I have been reading the post's for years now. I have tried to review everything that I could find with regards to replacements. So if this sounds like a question that has been answered numerous times I apologize in advance. What I am really trying to see is if there is a consensus on the best after market replacement non OEM rod bearings. I have seen that there are a number of companies that appeared to still be making replacement bearings, including BE, VAC, and ACL. Are there any that I am missing? I currently have 64,000 miles, with a second stage cold air intake, ESS ECU tune, with full Arkropovic exhaust system. I car is not a daily driver, and it gets a fair bit of track use. This will be my first rod bearing replacment. I am doing it as part of preventative maintenance given the amount of track use that the car gets. __________________
	Appreciate 1 wfdeacon881105.00 Tweet Quote

10-02-2018, 10:49 AM	#2
Iyzmi Lieutenant Colonel 802 Rep 1,566 Posts Drives: E92 M3 6MT ESS625 Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Midwest iTrader: (1)	The general consensus here leans heavily toward BE bearings and bolts. Some people go with VAC, ACL, or OEM for various reasons, but the majority seem to agree that BE is the best solution based on the very detailed analysis and technical findings they have shared with the community. Not to mention the long list of BMW race shops that support them. Personally, I believe BE bearings are the only true "solution" to the bearing problem but I don't say that as a fact, just a very strong opinion. __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-02-2018, 01:21 PM	#5
mrdoja Private 33 Rep 58 Posts Drives: E92 6MT Alpine White Fox Red Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Marlton, NJ iTrader: (0)	I had mine replaced last week, BE with BE ARP bolts. 65k on engine..I'm sure my bearing wear will be different than yours but mileage was approximately the same. I posted the pics of mine in the Rod Bearing thread on this forum. While I cannot comment on the wear just yet....the piece of mind I now have is priceless...
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-02-2018, 08:16 PM	#9
wfdeacon88 Major 1105 Rep 1,389 Posts Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Triad, NC iTrader: (0)	Why would he use that oil if he had replaced the bearings? It's hard to imagine not using the mfg suggested oil after fixing the bearings.. seems risky, but I'm not one to be the judge of it, just curious.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-02-2018, 08:33 PM	#10
shimmy23 F15 daddymobile 2350 Rep 3,510 Posts Drives: GS X5 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: WA iTrader: (3)	__________________ -brandon F15 Glacier Silver journal Last edited by shimmy23; 10-04-2018 at 11:22 AM..
	Appreciate 2 Scharbag2620.50 JustAnothaM4883.50 Quote

10-03-2018, 10:14 AM	#11
thedge9 Private 15 Rep 81 Posts Drives: 2013 E92 M3 MT Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Fountian Hills, AZ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 E92 M3 [0.00]	My local mechanic is actually trying to source a company called KING that I had not heard of nor have seen in any posts. I believe they do mostly after market race bearings and even have some aviation bearings. Has anyone used their rod bearing's? __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-03-2018, 02:41 PM	#14
doogee Major 748 Rep 1,256 Posts Drives: '08 M3, '09 328xi Sport Wagon Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Ancaster, ON, Canada iTrader: (0)	BE or VAC are your best choice. Currently at 50,000km on my VAC bearings. __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-03-2018, 03:05 PM	#15
pbonsalb Lieutenant General 5231 Rep 10,614 Posts Drives: 18 F90 M5, 99 E36 M3 Turbo Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: New England iTrader: (4)	Unfortunately that does not mean much. I am over 50,000 km on WPC treated stock bearings, which does not mean much, either. Have to know what they look like to assess. Those BE bearings with 50,00 km in the picture above look good. In a few years we will know more as bearings get changed a second time and we see how they have worn. I am planning to do mine again and will probably pull the motor and do the main bearings as well.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-04-2018, 05:38 AM	#19
deansbimmer BimmerPost Supporting Vendor 3749 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]	King doesn't have bearings for these engines. Your mechanic needs to get with it and go with what's already available, like BE, which is already proven. It would be fantastic if King would utilize their resources to make a set of main bearings, but it's probably not likely to happen. We don't need more rod bearing options.
	Appreciate 1 DrFerry6728.50 Quote