Series-Specific Connecting Rod 97333173 – Fits SS5 SS5L5 SS5N5

Verified Cross-Reference — connecting rod 97333173 mapped against SS5, SS5L5, and SS5N5 compressor serial ranges before dispatch.

Technical Specifications

Application Suitability

Why the Same Part Number Ships in Multiple Variants Across SS5 Sub-Models

The base number alone does not guarantee fitment — serial range and sub-model determine the actual dimensional variant you receive.

I have seen workshops order a connecting rod by number 97333173 (reference only) and watch it sit unused on the bench because the SS5L5 unit on the floor needed a slightly different big-end bore tolerance than the SS5 variant [NEED_CITE: compressor connecting rod variant identification practices]. Cross-reference tables copied between sellers frequently carry forward errors from older catalog editions. One wrong variant means teardown, re-fitment, and additional downtime on a machine that was already down for repair. Our technical team confirms the specific dimensional variant against your compressor serial number before the order ships.

Matching the Connecting Rod to Your Exact Compressor Serial Range

A Connecting Rod 97333173 for Ingersoll Rand SS5 cross reference fitment request starts with the exact machine model and serial number. The SS5, SS5L5, and SS5N5 share a common base architecture, but production runs introduced dimensional shifts — bolt hole spacing, cap alignment dowels, and bore tolerances can differ between early and late serial blocks. We verify these details against our fitment database so the rod you receive matches the crankshaft and piston assembly already in your compressor.

What to Measure When Your Old Rod Is Too Worn to Read

When the stamped number on the existing rod is illegible or the nameplate is gone, physical measurement becomes the identification path. Big-end bore diameter, small-end bore diameter, and center-to-center distance are the three dimensions that distinguish one variant from another [NEED_CITE: aftermarket compressor rod identification by dimensional measurement]. We accept photographs of the worn rod alongside a caliper or ruler for scale, and cross-check those measurements against the fitment records for your SS5-series compressor. This eliminates guesswork when the original part number is no longer readable.

Reading the Material and Finish Specifications

The 40Cr forged steel construction provides the fatigue strength needed for continuous reciprocating load in air compressor service. The shot-peened surface introduces compressive residual stress at the rod surface, which helps resist crack initiation under cyclic loading. Hardness in the HRC 32–36 range balances tensile strength with enough ductility to absorb shock loads without brittle fracture. Bore roundness tolerance of ±0.005 mm ensures that bearing shell contact remains uniform across the big-end journal, preventing localized oil-film breakdown that leads to premature bearing failure.

What Happens When the Wrong Variant Goes In

A connecting rod that bolts on but carries a bore tolerance outside the correct range for your SS5L5 or SS5N5 crankshaft journal will produce audible knock within the first hours of operation [NEED_CITE: effects of bore roundness deviation on bearing shell wear in reciprocating compressors]. The damage is not limited to the rod itself — bearing shells score, the crankshaft journal wears, and the piston-to-cylinder alignment drifts. By the time the compressor is shut down, the repair scope has expanded from a single rod replacement to a partial bottom-end overhaul. Confirming the correct variant before installation avoids this cascade.

Why Buyers Source This Connecting Rod Through Our Technical Desk

Our Guangzhou warehouse maintains stock on common SS5-series connecting rods for fast dispatch on standard variants. Both self-produced and sourced lines carry the same six-month warranty and pass the same dimensional inspection. Orders start at one piece — a single replacement rod for an emergency repair ships with the same documentation as a fleet-quantity order. Our technical team identifies the correct variant from your machine model, serial number, worn part photograph, or nameplate image. We support superseded and alternate number tracing through our cross-reference database so a discontinued number still resolves to the current equivalent. Buyers who need physical confirmation before committing to volume can order a sample rod for trial fitment on their machine.

Documentation & Verification

• Commercial invoice and packing list listing rod variant and serial range confirmation
• Part compatibility and cross-reference sheet marked reference only for OEM number 97333173
• Dimensional inspection record covering big-end bore, small-end bore, and center distance
• Six-month warranty terms document included with each shipment
• Packing photographs showing anti-rust oil application and individual rigid box protection
• HS code and customs classification support provided for export clearance

Fitment Check Before Installation

• Compare big-end bore diameter and bolt hole pattern against the removed rod before assembly
• Verify cap alignment dowels seat fully — forced alignment indicates a variant mismatch
• Check small-end bushing bore against piston pin diameter for correct clearance class
• Confirm rod weight matches the remaining rods in the compressor within acceptable balance tolerance
• Torque big-end bolts to the specified sequence and re-check bore roundness after tightening
• If any dimension falls outside the measured range, stop installation and contact our technical desk

Requesting Fitment Verification Before You Order

Send us your compressor model — SS5, SS5L5, or SS5N5 — along with the serial number or a photograph of the machine nameplate and the existing rod. If the stamped number is worn away, a clear photo with a caliper measurement across the big-end bore lets us complete the cross-reference. We will return a confirmed variant match with key dimensions so you can approve the fitment before we ship.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I confirm this connecting rod fits my specific SS5, SS5L5, or SS5N5 compressor? A: Provide your exact compressor model and serial number. Our technical team checks the serial range against our fitment database and confirms the big-end bore, small-end bore, and center-to-center dimensions match your unit. We also accept nameplate photos or worn rod images when the original number is no longer legible, and complete the cross-reference from those inputs before you commit to an order.

Q: The number on my old rod is different from 97333173 — is it still the right replacement? A: It can be. Ingersoll Rand has superseded and replaced connecting rod numbers across SS5-series production runs. Send us the number stamped on your existing rod and we will trace it through our cross-reference database — including discontinued and alternate references — to confirm whether it maps to 97333173 (reference only) as the current equivalent for your specific compressor serial range.

Q: Why are there multiple variants under the same base part number across SS5 sub-models? A: Production changes across SS5, SS5L5, and SS5N5 runs introduced differences in big-end bore tolerance, bolt hole pattern, and cap alignment details. These dimensional variants share the same base number but are not interchangeable across all serial ranges. We verify which variant your compressor requires before dispatch to prevent fitment issues on the workshop floor.

Q: My nameplate is gone and I only have the machine model — can you still identify the correct rod? A: Yes. With the machine model alone we can narrow the range to a small number of candidates. A photograph of the existing rod, even if the number is worn, combined with a caliper measurement of the big-end bore lets us complete the identification. We cross-check those measurements against the fitment records for your SS5-series unit and confirm the match.

Q: Can I order one sample to verify fitment before buying in quantity? A: Yes. Our minimum order is one piece. You can order a single connecting rod for trial fitment on your compressor before placing a larger order. The sample ships with the same dimensional inspection record and warranty documentation as a production-volume shipment, so your fitment check is done under the same quality conditions.