HOW TO | needle bearing damage

Dismantled engine with old connecting rods

Does your moped rattle or rattle while driving or under load? This can be an indication of needle bearing damage. A worn needle bearing quickly leads to major damage to the piston, cylinder and crankshaft. So there is an urgent need for action!

The function of the needle bearing

Defective needle bearings are not uncommon. Especially with tuning engines, the needle bearings are more heavily loaded. In addition, wear is increased in 2-stroke engines anyway. This is due to the low lubrication.

The needle bearing supports the connecting rod on the piston pin with the lowest possible friction losses. The connection between the connecting rod and the crankshaft converts the linear movement of the piston into a radial movement of the crankshaft. In this way, the pressure generated in the combustion chamber can be converted into a rotational movement.

Defective needle bearing and now?

If there is now increased wear in the needle bearing, the needle bearing will be hit with every work cycle. These impacts can lead to total failure of the needle bearing. The needles can detach from the cage. The detached parts can get stuck in the area of the transfer ports between the piston and the cylinder. And thus destroy the piston and the cylinder.

The following applies: If bearing damage is suspected, do not wait! Action is the order of the day here! Be sure to check the needle bearing. To do this, the cylinder must be dismantled. A play in the needle bearing can be felt quickly when the piston no longer sits snugly on the connecting rod. A new needle bearing can be installed by removing the piston. You can find needle bearings in all sizes in our shop .

Black and silver plated needle bearing

A detailed description of the piston assembly can be found in our blog " HOW TO | this is how you build a piston

We recommend replacing the needle bearing when replacing a piston. This saves you a subsequent exchange.

Everything should be clear now, right? If you have any questions or need help with installation, contact us! We will help you further.

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