Have you ever wondered how all the different parts of the engine are capable of moving without scraping against one another? You can thank engine bearings for that. These small yet significant auto parts do the heavy lifting and ensure engines operate smoothly.
Bearings “bear” loads, thus, they’re called “bearings.” When you think of bearings you might think of bearings with balls, needles, or rollers, but engine bearings don’t have moving parts.
Engine bearings are the main supports for the major moving parts of an engine, reinforcing the operating loads and reducing the friction these parts generate. In other words, they affect the overall durability and longevity of an engine.
Because they’re crucial when it comes to the functionality of the engine, engine bearings need to be durable and able to withstand high loads. Because of this, they’re typically made of the following metals and alloys: babbitt, trimetal, and aluminum.
Babbitt is one of the most commonly used materials in engine bearing manufacturing. It’s a metal fashioned from lead, tin, and antimony. Its properties make it ideal for making soft shafts that run under moderate loads and speeds. Babbitt works with occasional borderline lubrication and oil starvation without failure.
Engine bearings are also made of trimetal — a copper-lead alloy that’s often made with tin. This alloy is stronger and more durable than babbitt, but it’s also more expensive. Due to its make, it’s prone to acid damage. This means it’s often overlaid with babbitt, which is resistant to corrosion.
Another material that’s used to make engine bearings is aluminum. These bearings are often made with aluminum alloys that contain small quantities of tin and silicone. The resulting alloy is more powerful and durable than both babbitt and trimetal, but it’s also significantly more expensive.
Aluminum bearings are best used for high-speed, high-load conditions. On top of that, they also do not contain toxic materials such as lead.
Because engine bearings are designed to support the moving components of an engine, they can be found in many places. These locations will vary depending on the vehicle’s make and model, but you can typically expect to find the main engine bearings in the crankcase.
The most common signs your engine bearings are starting to fail include strange noises coming from the engine, an overheating engine, the presence of metal particles in the engine oil, and low engine oil pressure.
If you hear strange knocking noises coming from the engine, there’s a chance the bearings are damaged and due for replacement. When the bearings get worn enough from oil starvation or general engine wear, you’ll hear knocking.
Watch these videos to hear examples of engine knock:
When moving parts in the engine rub against one another, they generate friction. Engine oil is pumped to the bearings to minimize friction. The oil prevents metal-to-metal contact.
When bearings wear down from overuse, bits of metal break away from it. These bits can potentially mix with the engine oil, potentially causing serious damage to the engine if the problem isn’t addressed.
You can send a sample of your engine oil to a laboratory for analysis (Blackstone is one lab that does this). You can buy a kit and send them the oil and they will send you a report.
The more damaged an engine bearing is, the more likely it is for engine oil to leak out. This reduces the overall levels of pressure in the oil.
To ensure your engine bearings last as long as possible, get regular oil changes.
Engine oil should be changed every 5000 miles unless you’re using full synthetic oil and the OEM manual calls for longer intervals.
Maintenance is one of the most important things a driver needs to do. It’s best to bring your vehicle to an auto shop for maintenance at least once every six months.
Here are some commonly asked questions about engine bearings.
The cost of replacing your engine bearings will vary depending on the make and model of your vehicle. The number bearings that need to be replaced can also affect the replacement cost. You can expect to spend approximately $5000 to $11,000 including labor costs.
Engine bearings last the life of the car, unless the engine isn’t maintained properly.
Engine bearings are available in standard size; however, they also come in undersize. In undersize, they are available in measurements 0.010, 0.020, and 0.030.
Engine bearings or the engine main bearings are one of the critical components of an engine. In the unlikely event that they wear out, you’ll need to replace them. Otherwise, you risk damaging other components. If ignored, bad bearings can cause the engine to overheat and get damaged. If you need to replace your bearings, do so immediately.
Good thing CarParts.com makes it easy to get the parts you need, thanks to our easy-to-use website and fast shipping. Aside from engine bearings, CarParts.com is also a one-stop shop for a wide range of engine components including pistons, spark plugs, and camshafts, to name a few.
We source our parts from only the best manufacturers in the industry to guarantee their quality. Our strategically located warehouses also mean we can ship your order to your doorstep in as fast as two business days.
Get your engine’s performance back as soon as possible. Check out our selection of engine main bearings and order from CarParts.com today!
Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.