The motor mounts appear to be ok, as the engine slightly rocks back and forth at startup. I'm thinking if the HB is adding more vibration than the mounts were designed to handle they would probably just transfer the vibration to the frame of the car.

I just checked the part number on my 2000 ML320 and it is 112 035 00 00. I guess I have one that is problematic, but so far it still appears in good condition. However, I only have 37,000 miles on the vehicle so far. This vehicle was an early build 2000 model so I guess they were still using the original design on some 2000 models. I think I will try to get part updated before it goes out of warranty in October. If they won't replace it before it goes bad, I will at least get it documented before it goes out of warranty.

It is hard to believe that Mercedes just does not replace all of these "old style" balancers to save them the costs associated with the tow, replacement of the timing cover and oil pan and inconvenience to the customer when it fails at an inopportune time. I pity the poor Mercedes customer who relies exclusively upon the Mercedes and the dealers service department to keep their relatively new vehicles trouble-free.

I still have not taken my ML 320 in for the power steering hose clamp recall but have checked the hose in question and found the clamps to be only slightly loose probably due to compression of the rubber hose over time. Hose clamps apprear to be fine and I tightened them until I take it in for the next FSS servicing. Hopefully, Mercedes will "Wise Up" and issue another recall for the balancers so that I can get all of these issues resolved during one visit.

Happened to me on the freeway ,5 lanes of traffic ,80mph, & suddenly no power. Service advisor stated they see about one a mo. . He would try yo get MB to cover parts since it was out of warranty(65k).

They did not.I complained to the area Rep. about how unsafe the ML was w/ this faulty part. The response I got was a nice letter from MB's lawyers stating what a fine , quality autombile Mercedes is,and that they have not seen any recurring problems w/ that particular part. Total lawyer BS.

I filed w/ the NHSTB.......

Duke,

Good for you. I would even think of printing out these pages and sending to them for backup.

__________________
Benzmac:
Donnie Drummonds
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 11 YRS

My balancer went out on my 2000 S500 at 40,000 miles. Took out the lower and upper oil pan per the MB tech. It must have been the old design. They should recall these things!

I narrowed my vibration down.... I used a mechanics stethiscope to rule out the power steering and other possible sources. the sound could be classified as a hum, and vibration can be felt throught he steering wheel only @ idle. Which is the description in the japanese recall. For those of you that are tech's does this sound right?

I called the local dealer who gave me an estimate of $320 including tax to do the balancer, bolt and front seal. They are even throwing in a loaner car. So it is scheduled for tomorrow morning and they say I would have it back the same day.

Dr. D,

Where did you get the info about bending or braking the crank? I find that very alarming if you are correct. I have and use the MB tool that slides into the ring gear teeth after you remove the starter. I have used the tool for years on earlier production engines, because it works well and has an MB part # on it. I guess what I'm trying to say is that if you are correct, Mercedes has slid along way down in quality. It used to be that if an engineer designed something that required 5 bolts, the Germans would put 2 more in and Detroit would leave 2 out.


Peter

__________________
Auto Zentral Ltd.

I was concerned about this as well. what is the torque requirement for this bolt? Since the crank handles almost 300 ft lbs of torque in normal operation, Unless the torque for the bold is much higher I would think that a crankshaft should be able to handle the torque. Are these forged crankshafts or cast?

The bolt on mine was frozen tight. I tried using a 3/4" drive 600 ft lb air impact gun to remove the bolt, and it would not budge it. I was concerned about damaging the crank also, since the bolt was so tight. Call me a caveman, but I used a chain type pipe wrench wrapped around the harmonic balancer (where the serpentine belt rides) and a 4' cheater bar, and it worked like a charm

Called the 1-800-FOR-MERC Customer Service Rep today and asked if he knew about the harmonic balancer problem. He said no and that all he had heard about was the power steering clamp problem on the ML's. I've got an appointment next Thursday for the dealer to check mine out before the warranty runs out. Think I'll have it done wheather or not its covered.
Like Sterling, I'd rather do it now than wait for a major problem when you least expect it. Just my 2 cents worth!

I had the balancer done on friday.... I also had a collapsed mount. I have to say that I'm liking my 3rd mercedes less and less. I always thought that I got what I paid for when I bought a benz... not anymore... failing Harmonic Balancers, failing motor mounts..... what is next? oh the car is a 98 e430 with 62K on it. it might be my last benz.

Every time I think about replacing my low mileage 300E with a new E-Class, I come back here and read this thread.

I'm really enjoying all the money I've saved

I've told my wife that if something happens to me, buy a Camry or Accord.

1999 AMG C43 55k miles Update:

Just got back from the dealer for an "A" service, Check Engine light diagnosis, and a look at the balancer. I was sweating because I'm 5k out of warranty and did not buy this particular car at this dealer (bought other ones from him though).

Anyway, they said the balancer was wobbly and my MAFS was bad. They warranted the entire balancer job, and the MAFS part, I paid for the A service and the 2 hours for the MAFS and considered myself very, very lucky. The balancer could have easily blown up on me during one of my many 100mph sprints up the highway.

This experience has proven this message board an extremely valuable source of info, and also that not all dealers are bad!! Thanks everyone.

I bought a used 98 E320 in mint condition with 125,000 miles. I have visually checked the balancer and it seems fine. Would they have changed the balancer when it was certified by Starmark with previous owner?

__________________
1989 300e (sold)
1992 300e (wrecked)
1998 E320

This may help.

I changed my crankshaft Balancer, I also changed the bolt, I believed it was recommended by M.B. Doc, he recommended me to change the bolt, see earlier post by me on this thread.

When I bought the bolt they gave me a regular bolt.
Old bolt came out it was (hex, allen dont know the differnce.)

I asked the part guy why is this different, he said these are new updated. New bolt does not come with the balancer.

So, if it has been changed by the dealer he might of changed the bolt as well, some mechanic just put the old one on.

So..if you see new type of bolt, after taking the fan cover off, pretty easy 2 clips and pulls up, little obstruction from the fan.

This may indicate it has been changed.
Another good way to inspect is take a flash light and inspect the rubber in front and back, crank the motor little and inspect the back, sometime rubber looks fine in front but the back is twisted, that was my case.

Also, after fan cover off, run your car and with the help of a flash light look at it carefully, if you notice SLIGHT, and I mean SLIGHT woble, It may be on its way out.

Hope this helps.