Could anyone who has been through this R/R offer any tips or things to be especially aware of? I have the CD rom manual. Is it really necessary to remove the harmonic balancer? I dread the bolt on that thing, never easy to lock the flywheel to loosen it.

I am getting a bearing squeel from the upper front of the motor occasionally for a few minutes upon cold start. I replaced the belt- no help. The only pulley with some play seems to be the water pump.

Thanks in advance

If your concern is for the noise I doubt that the water pump is the problem. It is probably the belt tentioner.

Yes, I am concerned that the noise might be my indicator that the pump is on it's way to failure, especially given the play that I can feel by moving the pulley up and down with the belt off. I value your experience, though. If the squeel is rarely water pump, and much more often the tensioner, maybe I'll wait a little. What do you think?

I've replaced both items on my old 300E, that pump failure was evidenced by a slowly developing leak.

I have seen bearings lock up on just about every accessory, but the water pump has got to be the least common.

Check your belt tention, you shouldn't be able to turn the belt over (180 degrees) with your fingers.