Best replacement water pump?

[Phillytwotank]

i've heard some stories about new aftermarket water pumps being crappy.
i am in need of a new water pump...i think. Just wondering if anybody can weigh in on the best of the available aftermarket water pumps out there.

just in the past few days i've started hearing an intermittent "chattering" noise coming from right in the front of the engine. had me pretty worried thinking that it could be something bad... timing chain, vac pump. i didn't hear it all the time only at about 1200rpm revving up and down. today i was hearing the noise strong as i got to work. Pulled off the drive belt real quick to see if that changes anything. Did not hear the noise. sounded perfectly smooth running for a second without the belt.

Went feeling around on things and found that the fan/water pump has all kinds of slop. loose to wiggle about .25''

So i'm thinking that i found the problem there.

[sixto]

Which car would this be?

Sixto
83 300SD

[Phillytwotank]

the '92 300D

[BillGrissom]

Shouldn't be loose. Must be failed bearings in the water pump. I replaced one recently, while chasing a "runs hot" issue, but old w.p. was fine. I got one w/ a cast-iron impellor (vs sheet metal or plastic), but otherwise no opinion. Many may come from the same factory and you just pay depending on brand stamp. Cheapest are the ones run thru on the secret graveyard shift at the Chinese factory (unbranded), but otherwise identical.

[Phillytwotank]

Did a new WP solve your "runs hot" issue? mine seems to be still pumping fine but it definitely has some wiggle in the "shaft" of the water pump. and its making that terrible noise.