Is a rod bearing hard to change?

i own a ford f150 1997 and recently the rod bearing has gone on me.. im wondering how much a garage might charge me for this? is it something im able to do in my driveway? i have some experience with auto servicing but im not that fer miler with rod bearings. would it be cheaper to replace the bearing or pulling the engine and putting a different one in?Is a rod bearing hard to change?
Your going to have to tear the motor down to replace a rod bearing. Depending on how bad it is you might need a new crank... you wont know till you get in there and look.Is a rod bearing hard to change?
i would recommend replacing the engine. You could have too many issues arise after repairing the bearings.
I wouldn't recommend replacing just one rod bearing. All of them need to be replaced together. It is a big job to replace them. The crankshaft journals will probably need to be resurfaced before it can all be put back together. It is possible to replace the entire engine with a low mileage used one, cheaper than rebuilding the old one.
No the engine will need at least a bottom end overhaul.. new crank or at least have that one mic ed to make sure it is still round on the journals . It not it can be turned then you buy main bearings and rod inserts to fit the crank . it is just cheaper to buy a crank shaft kit . and save the machining and checking cost . I myself if had the money just replace the engine new or get that one completely rebuilt . about $2000. rebuild $3600 new .
honestly with your skill level, pull it.but hey dont throw the ol engine away.you may hav very cheaply.e to disassemble to repair.but its very possible.in your case a head will come off if you spun the bearing. if its just knocking, more than likely you can have the crank machined
It was easier in the old days, especially with four-bangers. Some engines allow rod-bearing access without pulling the engine. In that case, you still need to replace all the rod bearings, hone the cylinders, and re-ring the pistons.



If the bearing has taken the wear, and the crankshaft journals are not damaged, rod bearing inserts can buy you some time. Your oil pressure will go back up, extending the life of the engine. For a time.



In a modern engine, however, you'll probably need to pull the engine -- in which case the labor is extensive and it's not particularly cost effective to do just a simple rod-bearing insert job. Full rebuilds of this original engine will require the enlistment of a qualified machine shop at some point.



If the rod bearings are damaged, it's likely that the main bearings are also worn. Sooner or later, the engine will seize despite your efforts.



I'd go for a swap myself (I'm sick of rebuilding engines); and then I'd only do it if I knew the tranny and the rest of the vehicle is dependable. My experience with inserts on Volvo, Mitsubishi and Triumph engines was good: but every time I had a Ford engine rebuilt, the transmission failed within a few months.



Good luck.
as you can see from the other answers it will cost about what the truck is worth to repair it.

the cheapest way would be to buy a used eng for a few hundred dollars and install it yourself.

if not you will end up spending as much as the truck is worth.

And a lot of work and a lot of time.



your best 2 choices are

buy a used engine and install it yourself

or

this is a better option.

sell your truck for what ever you can get for it.

And buy another used truck.

http://www.edmunds.com/used/1997/ford/f1鈥?/a>





or go to to local sources like auto zone ,etc.

and see how much a rebuilt ';short block '; will cost.

then have a valve job done on your old heads and put them on the rebuilt short block and you would have a totally fresh eng.

I assume you know what a short block is.

It is a rebuilt block, new pistons, crank ,bearing etc.

and you use all the covers, oil pan ,heads etc.from your old eng.