W210
 

Is W210 platform the ML SUV?

John

Re: W210
 

No, the W210 chassis is the E class from 1996-2002.

The problem in question is not exclusive to the W210 chassis, but to all cars that used the M112 and M113 V6 and V8 engines.

Crankshaft Balancer Failure on 1999 C280
 

Happened to me last Tuesday. The car is "Starmark"ed. Hopefully, the warranty covers the repairs.

I JUST PURCHASED A NEW BALANCER AND BOLT FROM MBZ. I AM GOING TO REPLACE MINE NOW EVEN THOUGH IT LOOKS OK. THAT WAY I WON'T HAVE TO THINK ABOUT IT ANYMORE. DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY TIPS ON DOING THIS JOB, I NEED TO KNOW THE SIZE OF THE ALLEN BOLT, HOW TO HOLD THE PULLEY WHILE LOOSENING THE BOLT AND IF A PULLER IS NEEDED TO REMOVE THE BALANCER ONCE THE BOLT IS LOOSE. THANKS FOR THE HELP.

YWRKATALL, what was the mileage on your C280 when the balancer failed?

The car has approximately 42,000 mi on it.

1999E320, you will need a 17 mm hex driver, and a special MB tool to hold the harmonic balancer. The tool is available through this website, I believe. I fabricated my own, but if I had to do it again I'd just buy it. The bolt is TIGHT; my Craftsman 600 ft.-lb. impact wrench would not take it off, you will need a breaker bar with a 5 foot cheater bar (that's what they use at the dealer). You will not need a puller to remove the pulley. Good luck!

THANKS ITB76 FOR THE INFO. I WILL TRY IT AND LET YOU KNOW HOW IT GOES.

Crankshaft balancer replaced
 

This forum has great info!
Had my 98 E320 Wagon (71k mi) for one month.
Found this forum and had the balancer and belt replaced.
$80.00 balancer, $40.00 belt, $250 (ouch!) labor.
At idle can't even tell the car is running!
When taking off no low level vibration (hum?) now.
Put the old balancer under a microscope and numerous cracks and evidence of seperation from the inside hub.
Heat, age, and torque = failure
This car is like another world compared to the 300TD (84) wagon that it replaced (which I bought used and drove for 14 years).
Again,thanks for the info!

crankshaft balancer cracks
 

Here is a picture of the cracks.

What are the old part # on Balancer
 

Hello Group,

Please advice, My 2000 E430 Sport with 64k miles

with the Balancer part #

112-035-09-00

Should I be worry about the balancer breaking down soon.

Thanks,
Steve

NO, your balancer is an updated one. No worries.

$5,000 for Balancer Failure on '99 ML430? 71,000 miles
 

I've attempted to read all the posts at this terrific site. Isn't $5,000 for timing chain cover, oil pan, new balancer, belt, etc EXCESSIVE. I don't seem to find anyone else with a repair exceeding $2,200. I have registered a NHTSB complaint. I also have appealed to President of MBUSA, but have not yet received a reply.

Anyone looking for a class action participant?

Re: $5,000 for Balancer Failure on '99 ML430? 71,000 miles
 

YuCrew:

Thanks for taking the initiative. Also, make sure that you inquire and find from your dealer's friendly mechanics and the others you know with similar engine, and add more members to the complain.

On another note, the repair should have costed about $2400 for alll the stuff..

Heavymetals-
Every other auto manufacturer on earth utilizes a rubber mounted harmonic balancer that lasts the lifetime of the engine and then some. The reason for the failures is that this design uses the outside ring of the harmonic balancer to drive engine accessories, causing added stress to the rubber. This problem is not an issue that should "have a lifetime" and be a maintenance item. It should be designed so that this is never an issue. Get the serpentine belt off of the balancer and it will never fail. Other manufactures have designs that never or very rarely ever fail.