Big End Bearings

[Pin_Head]

Hysteria is self fulfilling:
I changed out my BEBs and my engine is still running.
Therefore it must be because the bearings need to be changed.
I’m so smart.
Everyone needs to do this to be smart too.
Repeat.

On the other hand, Toyota knows how often the BEBs really fail and it isn’t often enough for them to issue a service bulletin or do a recall.

 

[Douglas S]

Hysteria is self fulfilling:
I changed out my BEBs and my engine is still running.
Therefore it must be because the bearings need to be changed.
I’m so smart.
Everyone needs to do this to be smart too.
Repeat.

On the other hand, Toyota knows how often the BEBs really fail and it isn’t often enough for them to issue a service bulletin or do a recall.

Toyota made changes to the pistons in 92 purportedly to address engine harmonics that lead to cavitation and delamination of the bearings. Instances of BEB failure are significantly lower in later motors and essentially non-existent in FT variants.

Funny how in your first post in this thread you didn't even know this was an issue. Just a day later you're an expert.

 

[mudgudgeon]

Yes, there has been problems with BEBs in these engines.

There's also a majority of these vehicles that are now up to 29years old running around with the original bearings and 4, 5, 600k km on them.

I rebuilt a hd-t with approx 250k km on it, and bearings were pristine.

I agree with the if it's not broke don't fix it idea.

I would suggest getting used oil analysis done occasionally. If theres no white metal in the oil, leave them in.

 

[Pin_Head]

I would suggest getting used oil analysis done occasionally. If there's no white metal in the oil, leave them in.

This is what they do in the heavy equipment industry where down time costs a lot. It is a lot cheaper than "preventative maintenance" of BEBs.

 

[Pin_Head]

Funny how in your first post in this thread you didn't even know this was an issue. Just a day later you're an expert.

I did a lot of reading here and on other sites where I heard the hysteria and saw lots of pictures of pristine bearings removed from high mileage engines. I only saw one post of a spun bearing and it wasn't clear what caused it. It is almost like a religious cult where it demands ritual sacrifice of BEBs to maintain doctrinal purity. I was fascinated by the religious aspect of the cult.

I have a lot of experience with bad BEBs on other engines. I rode to high school for two years in a Dodge with a 6 cylinder engine that had a rod knock the entire time. I have changed out a few spun bearings that required a reground crank. It adds to the expense, but not that much.

 

[Mighty690]

I had a HDJ-81, I did the BEBs, and did a pretty decent write up on it on the diesel forum, if I do say so myself. I did do a lot of learning before I baselined the vehicle, in addition to working directly with "Diesel Mike" of Westcoastcruisers.com.
The issue with this engine isn't spinning bearings at all, but a pitting that results in little potholes in the bearing surface. In some of these engines it gets quite severe. The thinking is that at certain rpms this engine has a harmonic that causes cavitation of the oil film. In any event, this damage was evident on engines Mike has rebuilt and apparently Toyota did address the issue with a different bearing further along the production run. In my case, I wanted the peace of mind that would come from knowing what my engine's BEBs were like. I was relieved to both discover that my pan had never been removed (original factory FIPG) and my bearings were in good shape. There was also zero sludge or debris in the pan. At that point it was pretty easy to replace the BEBs while I was in there, and I did so. I would do it again if I had another 1HD-T, but as another person on here remarked, an oil analysis might be smarter initially. My $0.02.
P.S. I've got two 1FZ-FEs and have done two HG jobs too, LOL.

 

[maxamillion2345]

I don’t understand the butthurt with rolling in a set of freshies as good measure. Cheap. Easy. Warm and fuzzy for some. YMMV.

 

[mudgudgeon]

It is almost like a religious cult

Driving a HD-T is a religious experience