I noticed when I ordered a new timing chain for my 560 sel; the master link was not a crimp-type that requires a chain peening tool, but a link that uses two e-clips to secure the link to the chain. I always thought these were just for pulling a new chain into the engine via attachment to the old to draw it through.

My dealer however claims that they use these master links exclusively for permanent applications. A crimp-type is unavailable from this dealer.

I feel a bit strange about having e-clips holding something so serious together as a timing chain. Has anyone had a similar experience or good or bad results with the supposed e-clip master link??? Otherwise, I might have to track down a supplier of a crimped style so I feel better.

Thanks

Adam T. L. Delecki

I felt the same, but used the clips that were provided after encouraging words from a couple techs here. Been 60K+ miles without problem on the 560, and a couple years on the 4.5.

__________________
Mike Tangas
'73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP
Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72

'02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis

2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel

Non illegitemae carborundum.

Thanks, I think I'll give it a try. It just looks a bit too flimsy to be spinning around at several hundred rpm. Plus, the cutaways that the clips slide into weaken the link considerably, much more than deforming the crimpable link. I might do this, just with the point to replace the link with a second clip-type in 50,000 miles.

Adam

Using clips is what the 107 shop manual recommended, and I can't beleive that MB would actually document a seriously inferior repair.

My opinion, even if that winds up being the weakest link on the chain, if that breaks, it breaks for some other reason that would have broken any link on a chain without clips!

__________________
86 560SL
With homebrew first gear start!
85 380SL
Daily Driver Project

http://juliepalooza.8m.com/sl/mercedes.htm

I used these on my last motorcycle chain. If you think major engine damage is a high price to pay for chain failure, try substituting your life.

Well, I'll give it a try. When I did the chain on my diesel, I was able to get a crimpable master link. Well, this will certainly be a lot easier, but it also makes my crimping tool that I bought some years ago for MB double chains quite useless for this job...

Timing chain failure effectively just stops the engine (permanently) when it occurs. Other than removing power assist from steering and brakes, you can still control the car quite well, just as if the engine would die for any other reason. I had a BMW that died when the timing chain (single) failed at highway speeds. Just turned my blinker on and pulled off the road. The sound of the failure clues you into what happened immediately. The only problem that can occur is the car speed will still try to turn the crankshaft through the transmission if you are not quick to shift to neutral. If for some reason the chain will still try to feed by the crank's speocket, the chain can bind and damage either the crank, the sprocket or worst case the allum block. If this happends, rebuilding is unlikely.

Thanks,

Adam