Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
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HOMESERVICE MANUALSTOYOTA2004MATRIX XR, FWD, STANDARDREPAIR AND DIAGNOSISEXTERNAL PAGESDIFFERENT CARSECTION 261 (ENGINE MECHANICAL)OVERHAULCYLINDER BLOCK ASSEMBLYROD BEARINGS
2004 Toyota Matrix XR, FWD, Standard
Rod Bearings
2004 Toyota Matrix XR, FWD, StandardSECTION Rod Bearings
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2002 Lexus LS 430. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
- Ensure connecting rod cap is marked with proper cylinder number before disassembly. Connecting rod and piston assembly must be installed with front mark on piston facing toward front of engine (timing belt end) and outside mark on rod cap facing toward crankshaft.
- Connecting rod cap, rod bearing and crankshaft are stamped with size marks. There are 6 sizes of standard bearings marked "2", "3", "4", "5", "6" and "7". If replacing rod bearing, ensure size mark on NEW rod bearing is the same as size mark on original rod bearing. See Fig 1. If size mark on original rod bearing cannot be determined, add size mark on crankshaft and size mark on connecting rod cap together, to determine size of NEW rod bearing to be used. For example, if size mark on crankshaft is "1" and size mark on connecting rod cap is "3", use rod bearing with size mark "4".
- Rod bearing thickness is also determined by size mark. See ROD BEARING SPECIFICATIONS table.ROD BEARING SPECIFICATIONS
Size Mark Bearing Thickness - In. (mm) "2" .0584-.0585 (1.484-1.487) "3" .0585-.0587 (1.487-1.490) "4" .0587-.0588 (1.490-1.493) "5" .0588-.0589 (1.493-1.496) "6" .0589-.0590 (1.496-1.499) "7" .0590-.0591 (1.499-1.502) - Ensure connecting rod and piston assembly is installed with front mark on piston pointing toward front of engine (timing belt end) and outside mark on rod cap facing toward crankshaft. On right pistons, outside mark on connecting rod cap must face rear end of engine. On left pistons, outside mark on connecting rod cap must face front of engine. Using a ring compressor, install piston and rod assembly into cylinder block.
- Use plastigage to check rod bearing clearance. Ensure rod bearing oil clearance and connecting rod side clearance are within specification. See CRANKSHAFT, MAIN & CONNECTING ROD BEARINGS table and CONNECTING RODS table under ENGINE SPECIFICATIONS.
- Coat threads of connecting rod bolt and under bolt heads with engine oil before installation. Install rod cap bolts and alternately tighten to specification, in 2 steps. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.