Thanks for the response!

The one came on the car failed in 91 (6yrs) & was replaced. Than between 1991-2007...replaced three more times. Now the one that was replaced in 2007 failed yesterday (~3yrs/30342km). So a total four + the one came on the car..."FIVE".

During all those years, tensioners, absorbers, belts, etc. been replaced by the dealer, so I would think it's properly adjusted (sure hope so).

Please keep ideas coming, I sure want to find out the root cause. bc this part is dealer part only (no oem/aftermarket available) & it's $996.

Ouch!

http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=searchCatalogOEM&siteid=214269

Item Number MSRP Core Price Price
1020300074 $875.00 $0.00 $787.50
Engine - Crankshaft & bearings - Vibration damper
Vibration damper, 190e 2.3 - 4 cyl, 2.3l, w/0 16 valves 1985 - 1993

http://genuinemercedesparts.rtrk.com/?scid=1191126&kw=704098&pub_cr_id=3381536415

Item Number MSRP Core Price Price
1020300074 $875.00 $0.00 $700.00
Engine - Crankshaft & bearings - Vibration damper
Vibration damper, 190e 2.3 - 4 cyl, 2.3l, w/0 16 valves 1985 - 1993

http://www.mercedespartscenter.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=searchCatalogOEM&siteid=215720

Item Number MSRP Core Price Price
1020300074 $875.00 $0.00 $673.75
Engine - Crankshaft & bearings - Vibration damper
Vibration damper, 190e 2.3 - 4 cyl, 2.3l, w/0 16 valves 1985 - 1993

__________________

1993 190E 2.3
2001 SLK230
1971 LS5 (454) Corvette Convertible

OUCH is RIGHT & that's 4 times already.
WOW, thank you!

bc I get 15% off $996 ($846,60) & it's shipped from Germany (not old stock). The reason I mentioned "old stock vs new stock"...the 3 times they replaced it with the part they had in stock, it lasted 3-4 years. But the one time they shipped it from Germany & only charged me for the part at their cost & gave me free labour...this part lasted 9 years.

BUT the price is really attractive for me to take a gamble, hmmm...am I a gambling man.

Possible but not likely. Unlike the 112/113 harmonic balancer, the M102 belts are driven from the pulley which is bolted to the metal portion of the balancer which is bolted to the crankshaft. The pulley is not driven by the rubber portion of the balancer. I can't believe the balancer is that expensive. I have never heard of the M102/103 balancers needing replacement. Maybe your engine wasn't balanced properly from the factory causing undue wear on the harmonic balancer. Mark

Thanks Mark! That makes some sense.

It is expensive, bc this part is model/year/engine specific & car is 25yrs old. Just be glad I can still get it.

Pic I shown above is not quite right of my setup. This new pic I got faxed over to me from the dealer shows my setup.
Vibration absorber (#26) drives the pulley (#53) via the flange pulley damper (#35). If #35 breaks apart, the vibration absorber is free wheeling & the pulley (#53)/belt does NOT turn at all...all dash lights come on, no power steering & overheats if I keep driving (wp is not running).

my setup has #35 flange pulley damper (P/N 1020300074) & #26 vibration absorber (P/N 1020301203). It is #35 that breaks apart.

I just had a chat with someone, he said if that "rubber flange pulley damper" breaks apart every few years. Why not just bolt the pulley #53 directly to vibration absorber #26 with "metal spacer" in between & do away with #35 completely. This is what American cars do he saids.

What do you guys think???

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It appears you have a superceded version which drives the belt pulley from the rubber balancer. That would help explain the rubber failure. This is similar in concept to the 112/113 engines where the pulley is bonded to rubber which is bonded to a flange which is connected to the crankshaft. Since the earlier versions failed with regularity it is considered a "wear or service item" by MB. Your problem is that the cost of the harmonic balancer is astronomical whereas the list price on the 112/113 balancer (part superceded due to problems 6 times by my count) is currently $84. My guess is in 15 years we will be paying $900 for the 112/113 balancer. Yikes! Mark

My euro indi mechanic sourced me this vibration damper, with NO rubber balancer & ALL metal. Will be installing it next week, should solve my problem.

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