The missing link: M104 Pilot Bearings
 

This has been an issue that has plauged many swappers, and our shop cars alike.

What pilot bearing to use on a M104 crank when swapped to a manual transmission?

We have gotten away in the past by using a 300e pilot bearing, but it is not a 'press' fit, has too much play, and is not shimmed to the right degree to prevent input shaft vibration.

So, is anyone aware of a compatible MB pilot bearing/shim solution (Euro part number even) before we bite the bullet and spend the money to start manufacturing them?

Thanks.

Why don't you mic the crank and pilot shaft and try a bearing specialty house.. they have cross reference for any bearing by dimension..
Even try to google a few bearing companies

That is our next step. Just trying to confirm if there actually exists a compatible bearing/shim combo that anyone knows of. :D

i did a little search in my euro epc and came up with a part number of 006-981-94-25 is a pilot bearing for the 104 with manual trans
local dealer says it is about $30.00
illustration also shows two snap rings you may or may not need
123-262-04-94 and 136-994-06-35

the 006-981-94-25 was preceedes by two older part numbers
005-981-81-25
and
005-981-83-25

Carson, thank you very much! This is good news. I am having my parts guy check now if we can get our hands on one and test it in one of our cranks.

This would definantly be good news to fix our 'semi-working' pilots.

good, hope it works, keep us posted of your progress, my parts guy said it was special order.

If I might ask, what else do you do with the 104 , as far as mods, if anything
Tnx

Well, $67 later, on a non-refundable order from Germany, these are NOT by any means pilot bearings for a 104 crank. The center hole is nearly the size of the crank itself, and the bearing is big enough to be an axle bearing.

Where exactly did you derive this number from? :mad:

EDIT: Here is the 'pilot bearing' with a 24mm socket on top to show size...
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y21...PIC-0019_1.jpg

they came directly from the mercedes parts guide for a 104 engine with manual transmission, it is possible they were incorrectly packaged, i have had that happen, it is also possible the cranks may be different. another number that came up is 005-981-51-25

i just confirmed this number 005-981-51-25 as a pilot bearing, $26.47
sometimes non standard applications can be trial and error. i will get it for you if you want, let me know

I will check with my parts guy on the potential that the part numbers on the bag were wrong (might not work though since they have been received and payed for)... I will also try to cross-reference this new number and see..

Sorry if I came across a little rash, this derails our plans of getting the 190E completed this 4 day weekend.

well i have the bearing local, i can get it and over night it if that will help

That would actually be really helpful... If I get a few measurements to you, would you be able to confirm that this is in fact the proper bearing?

sure, i will order it first thing in the morning to verify. email the measurements to ray@rudismb.com

no offense taken, i will do what i can to help.