What do crankshaft webs do?

• A. They form the link between the main or intermediate journals and the connecting rod journals
• B. They balance the crankshaft
• C. They serve as oil passages
• D. They act as dowel pins for bearings

Answer: (A)

Crankshaft webs are the thick, rigid sections that connect the main journals to the connecting rod journals. They form the crank throws and keep the journals properly spaced and aligned, transmitting the load from the rods to the shaft while resisting bending and twisting as the engine runs. Balancing is achieved with counterweights, not the webs themselves; oil passages and dowel pins are separate features. So, the main role of the webs is to link the main or intermediate journals to the connecting rod journals and provide the structural connection needed for the crank to convert reciprocating motion into rotation.