Main Bearing Clearance

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2011 Suzuki SX4. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

CAUTION: Do not rotate crankshaft while gauging plastic is installed.

NOTE: After checking main bearing clearance, check crank case bolt No. 1 for deformation. See Crank Case Bolt No. 1 Inspection .

Remove lower crank case.
Clean bearings and crankshaft journals.
Place a piece of gauging plastic (1) over the full width of bearing (parallel to crankshaft) on journal, avoiding oil hole.

Fig 1: Placing Piece Of Gauging Plastic Over Full Width Of Bearing (Parallel To Crankshaft) On Journal
Courtesy of SUZUKI OF AMERICA CORP.
Install lower crank case, see Main Bearings, Crankshaft and Cylinder Block Removal and Installation .
After three minutes, remove lower crank case and using scale (2) on gauging plastic envelop (1), measure gauging plastic width at its widest point.
NOTE:
If pair of crankshaft journal and cylinder block journal is in the following condition, different values are applied as standard.
- Stamped number for crankshaft journal diameter is "4", and stamped alphabet for cylinder block journal inside diameter is "A".
  Standard: 0.019 - 0.031 mm (0.00075 - 0.00122 in.)
- Stamped number for crankshaft journal diameter is "9", and stamped alphabet for cylinder block journal inside diameter is "F".
  Standard: 0.025 - 0.037 mm (0.00098 - 0.00145 in.)
For more information about stamped number and stamped alphabet, refer to SELECTION OF MAIN BEARINGS .
Main bearing clearance

Standard: 0.022 - 0.034 mm (0.00087 - 0.00133 in.)

Limit: 0.050 mm (0.00196 in.)

Fig 2: Checking Main Bearing Clearance
Courtesy of SUZUKI OF AMERICA CORP.

If measured clearance is less than standard or more than service limit, replace main bearings with new ones referring to SELECTION OF MAIN BEARINGS and recheck main bearing clearance.

If measured clearance with new bearings is out of standard, select other bearings according to the following procedures and recheck main bearing clearance.
- More than standard:
  Replace bearing with one size thicker or regrind crank shaft journal to undersize and use 0.25 mm undersize bearing (0.0098 in).
- Less than standard:
  Replace bearing with one size thinner or regrind crank shaft journal to undersize and use 0.25 mm undersize bearing (0.0098 in).