How to Make Your Car Last Forever: Avoid Expensive Repairs, Improve Fuel Economy, Understand Your Warranty, Save Money

The crankshaft is the mechanical wonder by which rotational movement is translated into the up-and-down
movement of the pistons. Crankshafts have journals or smooth surfaces that rod and main bearings ride on. In
addition, counterweights are built into the shaft to offset vibration and create centrifugal motion. When built,
crankshafts are spun at high speeds on a balancing machine, metal is removed or added to properly balance
the shaft, enabling it to spin at high rpm without vibration or coming apart from centrifugal force.