RTM DRAKE

SPECIAL TOOL FOR REMOVING MAIN BEARING TOP SHELL

No modifications required to be done on the tool. Care to be taken while inserting
the special tool due to its curvature. After the tool is inserted in the oil hole
of the crankshaft there should not be any gap between the tool and the crankshaft.
If any gap is persistent please turn the tool in its place on the next curvature.
Never remove the o-ring from the tool as it slips out from its position without o-
ring. When removing the tool make sure that the o-ring is intact, sometimes it gets
cut.

PROCEDURE FOR REMOVING MAIN BEARING NO 8

NOTE: The thrust bearings in two halves are located on either side of the main
bearing no 8 and it is not secured with any locking screws as mentioned in the
manual. The thrust bearing position to be noted beforehand as it can be fitted in
wrong direction too and without any problem it fits in also.
1. Dismount the starting air motor from foundation along with the pipes for easy
access to main bearing hyd nut.
2. Move crankshaft axially towards aft by using long pipe and measure thrust washer
clearance (free end side). Place the pipe on the counter weights and not on the
connecting rod.
Repeat the sequence and push crankshaft axially to the forward side and check the
clearance again.

3. Install hydraulic jack tool to side studs and remove side stud nuts and studs.
4. Install hydraulic jack tool to lower main bearing cap nuts.

5. Instead of using supporting bar as per maker advice use M8 eyebolts and ropes on
port and starboard side.
6. Remove hydraulic nuts from main bearing lower cap studs and lower the cap slowly
with help of ropes to the bottom of sump after removing the bottom shell mid way.
8. Move the crankshaft axially towards aft (free end side) and then on the opposite
side to remove both thrust washers one by one.
9. Tap the thrust washers by using copper rod on one side (port side), it should
easily slide out from the other end.
10. Remove the thrust washers on other side (starboard side).
The thrust washer on the forwards side can only be seen by mirror and be careful to
put the washer in the same position you removed the old one, make note of the
position beforehand, as you can see from the below pic the tapered end of the
thrust washer is facing outwards forward and aft.

11. Insert fitting plug (top bearing removal tool) on the oil hole in crankshaft.

12. Turn crankshaft anticlockwise direction and remove top bearing shell.
13. Insert thrust washers on the main bearing top cover.
14. Turn the crankshaft and insert fitting plug on the journal oil hole.
15. Mount the upper bearing shell by turning the crankshaft.
16. Remove the fitting plug from the journal oil hole.
17. Lift the lower bearing cap and install bottom main bearing shell.
18. Mount the lower bearing cap by lifting and screwing nut.
19. Remove the eye bolts and rope.
20. Install hyd jacks on side studs and bearing studs.
21. First tight the side stud of exhaust side to 200bar, and then tight bearing cap
hyd nuts to 1150bar
22. Then tight both side studs to 900bar.
23. Remove hyd jacks.
24. Move crankshaft axially towards aft side and measure clearances between thrust
washer and crankshaft.
PROCEDURE FOR REMOVING MAIN BEARING NO 8
Same procedure as above, to be followed excluding the removal of starting air motor
and pipes and thrust bearing part.

Note: when the top bearing half is being inserted with the help of tool, there
shell may not be face to face with crankshaft and this may cause tool to get
underneath the shell and damage bearing.
So ensure the bearing half is touching the crank pin and if required keep it
pressed when sliding it in using a wood piece.

Anand kaushik
Cheif Engineer.