ANOTHER rod bearing question

badbeef · 12-13-2021, 12:42 PM

I haven't seen this one specifically asked yet; I did look.

I have an '11 with ~26k miles on the clock. I called EAS and they said I don't need to do it until upwards of 50k miles. However, from what I've read on here some low mileage cars occasionally do get hit with the failure.

Here's the question:
If I get the rod bearing service done now, will I need to do it again at some point in the future? If it's a one-time deal, I don't know why I'd wait. I'm keeping the car for a long time.

Battle · 12-13-2021, 01:11 PM

I changed mine to be and arp bolts at 65k. The original bearings were in perfect condition. Installer was surprised and was wondering if they were changed. They weren't to my knowledge.

GeorgeA · 12-13-2021, 01:12 PM

I think you’re fine at that mileage. I changed mine at 85k

drrust · 12-13-2021, 01:15 PM

There are only a few instances of a second set of bearings being installed. The highest mileage that I recall was about 80k after install. This was because of damage to the oil pan. Until more owners install a second set and wear patterns are confirmed to be improved, it would seem that replacing them at some point is worthwhile. I replaced mine about 75k miles ago and am planning to replace before 100k are on them.

spammysammich · 12-13-2021, 01:27 PM

If the car is new to you and you don't have a clue as to how it was used or abused before your ownership, just do it and always drive your car with a measure of mechanical sympathy until the oil is fully warm. You might only have to do it once, if there is a maintenance interval for rod bearings, it isn't crystal clear yet. But practicing good driving habits and choosing bearings with a more reasonable amount of clearance should bring you many years of fun.

LakeSurfer · 12-13-2021, 03:07 PM

At this point, the rod bearing issue has been beat to absolute death, brought back to life and then beat again. You're the only one who can answer that question and the only one who has to live with whatever you decide.

without even reading any responses I'll guarantee you're gonna get an equal amount of answers supporting both sides of the argument. No one can give you a definitive reason to do or not to do the bearings at any milage because some are fine at 100k and some are trashed at 50k and the same can be said the other way around.

The only thing to ask is what you can answer yourself. What will make you more comfortable when you sleep at night?

Helmsman · 12-13-2021, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LakeSurfer

At this point, the rod bearing issue has been beat to absolute death, brought back to life and then beat again. You're the only one who can answer that question and the only one who has to live with whatever you decide.

without even reading any responses I'll guarantee you're gonna get an equal amount of answers supporting both sides of the argument. No one can give you a definitive reason to do or not to do the bearings at any milage because some are fine at 100k and some are trashed at 50k and the same can be said the other way around.

The only thing to ask is what you can answer yourself. What will make you more comfortable when you sleep at night?

This OP. You'd be the best and only fair source to your question.
Regarding for ever life on a new set of shells I'd read in on the tons of available info on the board and form your opinion. The shape of old shells and selection of new will also provide some guidance to when another round possibly is relevant.

///Matt.BLU · 12-13-2021, 11:45 PM

If you're asking this question at all, even though it's been beat to death, that means you have a real concern about this potential issue. You will not get the reassurance you're looking for from an overwhelming response here telling you that you don't need do it. Hence, you'll always have this in the back of your mind. So now you're just deciding if you should do it now or in another 20 to 30k miles. If you're comfortable with letting the car get to over 50k+ miles on stock bearings with a known potential issue, then with new bearings you definitely won't need to worry about it for that many miles and some. So does it really matter that you're delaying it 20k more miles when after you've gotten it done you won't have to think about it realistically till 100k? That's way down the line. Just do it and forget it. I have a 2013 with under 30k miles and I'm going to get it done come spring time.

Davisca455 · 12-14-2021, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battle

I changed mine to be and arp bolts at 65k. The original bearings were in perfect condition. Installer was surprised and was wondering if they were changed. They weren't to my knowledge.

I also changed mine to BE bearings and BE bolts at about the same mileage, but I thought my OEM bearings came out looking awful.

Different use cases and differing manufacturing tolerance stackups may have an effect.
You just won't know (sleep well) until you invade the crankcase.

My car has always lived in a mild climate, always been garaged, always warmed up properly, over serviced.

But the car had been on the boost for 59,000 of those 65,000 miles.

Pics are of the best and worst looking OEM shell pairs…

Redd · 12-14-2021, 05:30 PM

No rod bearings are not a one time job over the lifetime of the car. Even BE can't guarantee you never need to replace their bearings (I know cos I asked).

I will do mine every 80k kms cos when I removed mine at 90k kms they were shot and showing copper. Again this is my own thoughts and endorsed/recommended by no one else. Rod bearings have become a matter of religion, so you do you. Lol

badbeef · 12-14-2021, 08:59 PM

I found this pic of a rod bearings on a car with 9000 miles. Thought it was interesting.

https://www.m3post.com/forums/showth...=881588&page=9

Scharbag · 12-14-2021, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redd

No rod bearings are not a one time job over the lifetime of the car. Even BE can't guarantee you never need to replace their bearings (I know cos I asked).

I will do mine every 80k kms cos when I removed mine at 90k kms they were shot and showing copper. Again this is my own thoughts and endorsed/recommended by no one else. Rod bearings have become a matter of religion, so you do you. Lol

Lol.

Rod bearings are not wear items if they have adequate oil flow.

But, you do you.

Redd · 12-15-2021, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scharbag

Lol.

Rod bearings are not wear items if they have adequate oil flow.

But, you do you.

Totally agree with you. But that point has been moot since a couple of generations of M3s before the E9x. We play the cards we are dealt.

BimmerRookie · 12-15-2021, 07:10 PM

If you're going to do it, do it for your own sanity. There is no way we can tell you a specific mileage or frequency to change them. Statistically, failures/pre-mature wear appears to be random.

Trying not to be mean about it, but there's no point in asking this question.

talmadge · 12-24-2021, 07:22 AM

I did RB at 25K on my 09 this past year. I'm the second owner and wanted the peace of mind.

Denny347 · 12-24-2021, 09:15 AM

Cheap insurance considering the cost of a spun bearing. If you plan on owning it for awhile, go ahead and do them. If you are one of those owners that flips cars every 3 years, not going to be worth it for you. I bought my '08 in 2019 with 58k mi and changed the RB at 63k mi. They looked "ok" in M3 standards but now with fresh BE/ARP in there, I can enjoy the car for what it is. I have no plans to ever get rid of my M3 so getting them done ASAP made sense to me.

redline9001 · 12-28-2021, 07:53 AM

I have a low mileage 11 and replaced them around similar mileage. I am glad I did , they where not bad for an m3, but bad enough that I am glad they are done and I don’t have to worry about them any more.

TCrush · 12-28-2021, 09:25 AM

Do you have adequate oil flow?

Denny347 · 12-28-2021, 09:43 AM

My 2008 had 64k or so on it when I had the RB replaced a year ago. Low miles for an '08. The shop found silicone where a gasket should have been.

Pop open the oil pan and...silicone clogging the oil pick-up. Engine NEVER sounded like it was oil starved. For some reason, someone opened up the bottom, never replaced the OEM RB, and put it back together with silicone that got into the pickup. You never know what you'll find. So glad I didn't wait to do my RB.

Helmsman · 12-29-2021, 05:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Denny347

My 2008 had 64k or so on it when I had the RB replaced a year ago. Low miles for an '08. The shop found silicone where a gasket should have been.

Pop open the oil pan and...silicone clogging the oil pick-up. Engine NEVER sounded like it was oil starved. For some reason, someone opened up the bottom, never replaced the OEM RB, and put it back together with silicone that got into the pickup. You never know what you'll find. So glad I didn't wait to do my RB.

Wow, and the shells looked ok?

tbuck · 12-29-2021, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Denny347

My 2008 had 64k or so on it when I had the RB replaced a year ago. Low miles for an '08. The shop found silicone where a gasket should have been.

Wow, classic case of using WAY too much RTV! For the engines we build the spec is for a 2mm bead on any sealing surface in the oil cavity. That first pic looks like WAY more than that squeezed out the side, lol! Glad you caught that!

Denny347 · 12-30-2021, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Helmsman

Wow, and the shells looked ok?

Not bad at all for OEM RB.

12-13-2021, 12:42 PM	#1
badbeef Second Lieutenant 49 Rep 244 Posts Drives: 3 pedals Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	ANOTHER rod bearing question I haven't seen this one specifically asked yet; I did look. I have an '11 with ~26k miles on the clock. I called EAS and they said I don't need to do it until upwards of 50k miles. However, from what I've read on here some low mileage cars occasionally do get hit with the failure. Here's the question: If I get the rod bearing service done now, will I need to do it again at some point in the future? If it's a one-time deal, I don't know why I'd wait. I'm keeping the car for a long time.
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12-13-2021, 01:11 PM	#2
Battle Lieutenant 164 Rep 439 Posts Drives: Prius Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: LA iTrader: (1)	I changed mine to be and arp bolts at 65k. The original bearings were in perfect condition. Installer was surprised and was wondering if they were changed. They weren't to my knowledge. __________________ Arsenal F.C. - Gooner 4 Life
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12-13-2021, 01:12 PM	#3
GeorgeA Major 763 Rep 1,407 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (3)	I think you’re fine at that mileage. I changed mine at 85k
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12-13-2021, 01:15 PM	#4
drrust Captain 336 Rep 724 Posts Drives: E90 M3 DCT Sedan Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Cincinnati iTrader: (0)	There are only a few instances of a second set of bearings being installed. The highest mileage that I recall was about 80k after install. This was because of damage to the oil pan. Until more owners install a second set and wear patterns are confirmed to be improved, it would seem that replacing them at some point is worthwhile. I replaced mine about 75k miles ago and am planning to replace before 100k are on them.
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12-13-2021, 01:27 PM	#5
spammysammich Major 1815 Rep 1,250 Posts Drives: 2009 E92 M3 Dakar Yellow II Join Date: Oct 2021 Location: Edmonds, WA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW M3 [10.00]	If the car is new to you and you don't have a clue as to how it was used or abused before your ownership, just do it and always drive your car with a measure of mechanical sympathy until the oil is fully warm. You might only have to do it once, if there is a maintenance interval for rod bearings, it isn't crystal clear yet. But practicing good driving habits and choosing bearings with a more reasonable amount of clearance should bring you many years of fun.
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12-13-2021, 03:07 PM	#6
LakeSurfer Captain 824 Rep 684 Posts Drives: bicycle Join Date: May 2019 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	At this point, the rod bearing issue has been beat to absolute death, brought back to life and then beat again. You're the only one who can answer that question and the only one who has to live with whatever you decide. without even reading any responses I'll guarantee you're gonna get an equal amount of answers supporting both sides of the argument. No one can give you a definitive reason to do or not to do the bearings at any milage because some are fine at 100k and some are trashed at 50k and the same can be said the other way around. The only thing to ask is what you can answer yourself. What will make you more comfortable when you sleep at night?
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12-13-2021, 11:45 PM	#8
///Matt.BLU Second Lieutenant 32 Rep 218 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Toronto iTrader: (1)	If you're asking this question at all, even though it's been beat to death, that means you have a real concern about this potential issue. You will not get the reassurance you're looking for from an overwhelming response here telling you that you don't need do it. Hence, you'll always have this in the back of your mind. So now you're just deciding if you should do it now or in another 20 to 30k miles. If you're comfortable with letting the car get to over 50k+ miles on stock bearings with a known potential issue, then with new bearings you definitely won't need to worry about it for that many miles and some. So does it really matter that you're delaying it 20k more miles when after you've gotten it done you won't have to think about it realistically till 100k? That's way down the line. Just do it and forget it. I have a 2013 with under 30k miles and I'm going to get it done come spring time. __________________ Frozen Blue \| ZCP \| Akrapovic \| Haimus \| StopTech Trophy \| Ohlins \| Recaro \| BBS \|
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12-14-2021, 05:30 PM	#10
Redd Brigadier General 4094 Rep 4,336 Posts Drives: 2010 BMW E92 M3 Dakar Edition Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Malaysia iTrader: (0)	No rod bearings are not a one time job over the lifetime of the car. Even BE can't guarantee you never need to replace their bearings (I know cos I asked). I will do mine every 80k kms cos when I removed mine at 90k kms they were shot and showing copper. Again this is my own thoughts and endorsed/recommended by no one else. Rod bearings have become a matter of religion, so you do you. Lol
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12-14-2021, 08:59 PM	#11
badbeef Second Lieutenant 49 Rep 244 Posts Drives: 3 pedals Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	I found this pic of a rod bearings on a car with 9000 miles. Thought it was interesting. https://www.m3post.com/forums/showth...=881588&page=9
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12-15-2021, 07:10 PM	#14
BimmerRookie Major 471 Rep 1,318 Posts Drives: E93 Cavalier Z24 M3 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	If you're going to do it, do it for your own sanity. There is no way we can tell you a specific mileage or frequency to change them. Statistically, failures/pre-mature wear appears to be random. Trying not to be mean about it, but there's no point in asking this question.
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12-24-2021, 07:22 AM	#15
talmadge Enlisted Member 7 Rep 30 Posts Drives: M3 E93 Join Date: May 2019 Location: Charlotte iTrader: (0)	I did RB at 25K on my 09 this past year. I'm the second owner and wanted the peace of mind.
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12-24-2021, 09:15 AM	#16
Denny347 Major 360 Rep 1,080 Posts Drives: 2008 M3 E90 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Indianapolis, IN iTrader: (0)	Cheap insurance considering the cost of a spun bearing. If you plan on owning it for awhile, go ahead and do them. If you are one of those owners that flips cars every 3 years, not going to be worth it for you. I bought my '08 in 2019 with 58k mi and changed the RB at 63k mi. They looked "ok" in M3 standards but now with fresh BE/ARP in there, I can enjoy the car for what it is. I have no plans to ever get rid of my M3 so getting them done ASAP made sense to me.
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12-28-2021, 07:53 AM	#17
redline9001 Captain 223 Rep 979 Posts Drives: E92 M3, F15 X5, G14 F150 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Calgary, Canada iTrader: (0)	I have a low mileage 11 and replaced them around similar mileage. I am glad I did , they where not bad for an m3, but bad enough that I am glad they are done and I don’t have to worry about them any more. __________________ 2011 E92 M3 \| JEREZ BLACK \| EXTENDED BAMBOO NOVILLO \| EXECUTIVE PKG \| M-DRIVE \| EDC \| M-DCT MODS \| KW S/O \| HRE P40SC \| Akra Evo \|ESS Akra Tune \| ESS DCT tune \| BMC drop in \| StopTech Trophies \| TMS Pulley \| LUX V3 \| BE Bearings and BE ARP rod bolts
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12-28-2021, 09:25 AM	#18
TCrush Banned 13 Rep 22 Posts Drives: e90 M3, F30 2018 and X5 Join Date: Nov 2021 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Do you have adequate oil flow?
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12-28-2021, 09:43 AM	#19
Denny347 Major 360 Rep 1,080 Posts Drives: 2008 M3 E90 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Indianapolis, IN iTrader: (0)	My 2008 had 64k or so on it when I had the RB replaced a year ago. Low miles for an '08. The shop found silicone where a gasket should have been. Pop open the oil pan and...silicone clogging the oil pick-up. Engine NEVER sounded like it was oil starved. For some reason, someone opened up the bottom, never replaced the OEM RB, and put it back together with silicone that got into the pickup. You never know what you'll find. So glad I didn't wait to do my RB.
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