Got Rod Bearings changed. 2013 M3 DCT. Thoughts and pictures inside.

[FrozenE92M3]

Yesterday I went to have my rod bearings swapped out at SSR Performance in Orange, California. They were very accommodating and Mark talked me through everything. I used to build engines for WRXs and STis, so a rod bearing swap through the pan isn't all that intimidating for me, but they do a good job of explaining how things go and relaying information to you even if you don't know anything about what goes on in an engine.

Also the 8 hour turnaround was welcome since I don't live in the area, I live about 3 hours north.

These are the factory bearings that came out.

[roastbeef]

strangest wear pattern i've ever seen on bearings.

[Evo13]

Originally Posted by roastbeef

strangest wear pattern i've ever seen on bearings.

Yeah real interesting, did they say anything regarding the wear pattern?

[RE36TRO]

How many miles? Just got mine done as well, 2011, 78k. I'm no expert but my bearings look to be in better shape.

[westsai]

peace of mind... enjoy the drive!

[FrozenE92M3]

Originally Posted by roastbeef

strangest wear pattern i've ever seen on bearings.

Are you referring to the lines? I am wondering that too

[M3anest]

do you happen to know the history of your vehicle, oil change intervals, what oil used, spirited driving or daily

[FrozenE92M3]

Originally Posted by RE36TRO

How many miles? Just got mine done as well, 2011, 78k. I'm no expert but my bearings look to be in better shape.

Sorry I forgot to mention mileage. It's 100k miles.

[roastbeef]

Originally Posted by FrozenE92M3

Are you referring to the lines? I am wondering that too

the vertical lines are typical. its the webbing pattern that is strange.

[FrozenE92M3]

Originally Posted by roastbeef

the vertical lines are typical. its the webbing pattern that is strange.

The picture where I have the tops and bottoms in one picture looks a bit off to me too, the picture where the top and bottom are individual don't show those curved lines. Weird.

[Helmsman]

Originally Posted by FrozenE92M3

The picture where I have the tops and bottoms in one picture looks a bit off to me too, the picture where the top and bottom are individual don't show those curved lines. Weird.

Yeah the top pictures works fine when zoomin in. Shells looks pretty beat up as "normal" at 100k. They where still hanging in though.
Btw heres a good place to put them: https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1253084

[spiderspider]

looks like morié

[GotV8?]

Nice...Im on the list for BE Rod Bearings from Auto Talent....hopefully I can get mine done soon with BE ARP bolts...Im already at 85 k miles and hoping to get them done by this fall and before I get too close to 100k marker as a preventative and piece of mind.

[SAMM3Y]

Originally Posted by roastbeef

the vertical lines are typical. its the webbing pattern that is strange.

Do you think it's from when the engine fires and pushes down on the crank?

[roastbeef]

Originally Posted by SAMM3Y

Do you think it's from when the engine fires and pushes down on the crank?

No idea sir. I have a basic understanding, but I'm far from being an expert on the subject.

[GotV8?]

TBH, I hoping and curious for someone on the forum who DD the E9x M3 to post when they change their Rod Bearings out the second time around to see how they look which will be another 5-6 years depending on driving habits. lol

[chocstraw]

It’s moiré patterning from digital image compression

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moiré_pattern

[roastbeef]

Originally Posted by chocstraw

It's moiré patterning from digital image compression

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moiré_pattern

Ooohhh lol. Makes sense. Diagonal friction marks on bearings wouldn't come out of a running engine I guess.

[Fauxbm]

Better change them sooner than latter.
The wear on some of the bearings are through all the layers.
Thank goodness the crank looked good and the clearances were in spec.