I have a 98 ML320 with 47K miles and the rubber piece which looks to be part of the vibration damper/harmonic balancer came partially out and was striking the radiator fan blades and making a TERRIBLE noise. I was able to cut the protruding piece of rubber, which by the way was about 80% of the entire circumference of the pulley, and now the fan is clear but their is a knocking sound when the car is running. I presume this is the function the rubber prevents from happeing as it dapens vibrations.
I'll have to get the repair done by somebody since my work schedule has me traveling tomorrow. Two questions....can I drive the vehicle about 15 miles in this condition and what am I looking at for a repair bill if I take it to my Mercedes dealer?

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99 E300 133K
98 ML320 99K
87 Saab 900 Turbo Conv 123K

If the harmonic balancer falls out it will means big bug. Search the m class escribe archive re damages that can happen when the harmonic balance fells off. It can damge the whole oil pan.

Got a little more info from the seach function and realize that I need to get it towed rather than drive it. I called the MB service mamager and since the vehicle has less than 50K miles they are willing to perform "good faith" work on it. Since I am the original owner and they have done all the service on it, I might get them to pick up some part of the repair. I'll report about that later. It appears this is a very common problem with the M112 engine.

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99 E300 133K
98 ML320 99K
87 Saab 900 Turbo Conv 123K

The dealer picked up half the tab and my share was $330 to replace the pulley and crankshaft balancer. Not bad since I was a year over the 48 mo warranty. I hope the new design balancer last longer than the original one!

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99 E300 133K
98 ML320 99K
87 Saab 900 Turbo Conv 123K

Same here!

After reading enough posts about the harmonic balancer, I felt it feasible to have it checked out prior to a Memorial Day weekend trip in the ML.

Turned out it was cracked. MB fronted the cost of the part and I paid the $330 or so for the labor.

Noticed that I don't hear that "clacking" sound any more when it idles..

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2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car

I was just done changing my spark plug on my 98 ML when I decided to check on my serpentine belt for wear and tear. I notice that a chunk of rubber was sticking out of the crankshaft pulley. I started the engine and the pulley was turning wobbly. I called my mechanic and he said to bring it in. He said that he has seen this problem before with the harmonic balancer coming off and that it was redesigned eight times since then. He said that I caught it in time and could have been worse if I was driving in high speed. I have 87000 miles on my ML. I paid $343 including the serpentine belt, updated harmonic balancer, and a new bolt. I was looking at the new balancer, the rubber piece is much smaller comparing to the old harmonic balancer.

You got lucky.


Did you read this thread?

Crankshaft Balancer Failure! UPDATED

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

I don't know why Mercedes is taking so long to recall vehicles for correction of this SAFETY related problem. It seems to be wide spread, and several people have reported safety concerns, such as the loss of power steering and brakes; large loss of oil on the highway; and a possible fire hazard.
Sometimes a company must be pushed into doing the right thing. I suggest anyone who had this failure report it to the National Highway Trafic Safety Administration at 800 424 9393 or go to their web site at www.nhtsa.gov/cars/problems/complain/ and click on "Complaints" on the left side of your screen.