By increasing the surface contact between the bearing and connecting rod housing bore, crush minimizes bearing movement, helps to compensate for bore …
In simple words, the bearing crush is what keeps the bearing in place. Think of it as putting a 10-pound thing in a five-pound bag. Tactile or locator tabs on the shell that the saddle fits are only meant to locate the bearing during assembly.
CRUSH FIT. One of the things that helps hold bearings securely in position so they don't spin in their bores is crush fit (or press fit in the case of cam bearings). …
Bearing Crush (bearing nip) A means of ensuring that a plain bearing is a secure interference-fit in its housing. The term is applied particularly to big-end and main bearings.
The bearing crush is the intentional deformation or reduction in the outside diameter of the bearing, when you install it in an engine or machinery. The reduction in diameter can create a compressive force on the bearing, which helps secure it in the right place and ensures proper functioning.
The optimal value for crush height is dependent on the bearing diameter, housing material (modulus of elasticity and thermal extension), housing dimensions and stricture (rigidity), and temperature.
In half shell bearings it's called "Crush". The bearing ends extend slightly beyond the split line of the housing. The bearings are compressed or crushed down into the housing as the bolts are tightened.
Bearing clearance is one of the most important parameters in the operation of a bearing. Therefore, it is important to determine the installed clearance along with the bore contour and concentricity to the outside fit diameter.
Bearing Crush. The additional height, manufactured into each bearing half, to ensure complete contact of the bearing back with the housing bore when the engine is assembled.
In some forms of racing, the engine builders will go through multiple sets of bearings to get the identical amount of crush on each bearing. Remember that performing a line-boring/line-honing operation on the mains of the block or big ends of the rod can change bearing crush.