Here's my thinking, and somebody please chime in if you disagree. First off if your there at all rod inserts are a good idea. Cheap and normally the first to go.

An issue with only changing the thrust bearing is the way the crank "lies" in the mains. If there is (normal) wear, and you change out just one bearing at the end, the shaft will wind up bridging the others till the front where it's riding. Any flexing will cause failure.

Idk. Maybe just run it. Maybe do it with the engine in for around $100, if it shows good compression. (unbolt converter, pull timing sprockets). Maybe it's possible to drop it enough to just change the thrust bearing and cross your fingers. Maybe there are some sort of shims that could be fit.

Maybe pull the pan again and make sure it's not something stupid, loose bolts.

The link here has info on Plastigauge. Click on "how it works" at the bottom if you like. http://www.plastigaugeusa.com/

Congrads on the mortgage and the baby by the way! (I have it the other way around. I'll never pay my loan, and no kids!)

 

i would pull the pan and see whats going on and at the least.im in a similar situation money wise if theres a issue with the main bearing i would install new ones if the vechicle is needed might be able to loosen all the caps take one bottom cap off at a time and roll the tops out to replacethem ...

 

I'll pull the pan, if its a cheapish fix I need to figure it out. I dont really know what to be looking for so I will grab some pictures, or video with the hopes that one of you can assist me. Thanks again..

 

Done yet ...lol...

 

ive been searching for a good pic to compare it to cant find nuttin

 

heres a little issue sound lke were on the right trackhttp://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f12/c...oblem-1010191/

 

Sorry, going to start on it now. The wife needed me for a bit.

 

theres a old saying if momma aint happy aint no body happy...lol...

 

OK, pans off...what am I looking for now?

And the ole saying, it aint never been truer lol

 

Find the play. The thrust bearing IS the rear main, I think. Anything loose? Bolts?

I just read freedgr's link, sounds like it might be in the middle.

 

I was looking for play, but honestly the whole assembly is sliding back and forth a bit, everything in between looks good.

edit: I should say everything looks good to me, not seeing anything loose that I can tell. Will get a video of it and upload it in a minute.

 

Guess you saw in the link one main bearing is suppose to have "sides". It's different than the others. In the middle or I thought, at rear. Maybe some dummy messed with it and used all normal bearings! That might explain why it's way out of tolerance. Again, it's in the middle or the rear.

 

thrust bearing no 3 looks like this towards the middle of the crank

 

You can pull a cap or two to have a lookie. Be real sure to note the marks, or make some with a punch or chisel if you need. They need to go back the same.

 

`this is the best i could fing the red lines indicat main caps the red arrows might be no 3main depends on which way there counting there should be a bearing like the pic under one of the you should be able tosee it sticking out the side of the cap