Failure was experienced on our 1998 C280 at 125,000 miles. in 2005. A groove was cut in the oil pan, repaired with aluminum Devcon. Some weeping around the Devcon but not a serious problem.

MB service tech said he had seen several. The dealership sold me a replacement and a new crank bolt for $80.00 US. I made a wrench to hold the hub of the old damper and bottomed the handle out against the pavement, a 24" 3/4 drive broke the bolt loose with moderate effort. Used a Snap-On torque multiplier and the home made wrench to install the new part.

205,000 on the vehicle now will check it for signs of the rubber cracking .
T W Hudson
hpshooter@juno.com