1994 E320 Front oil seal leak
 

Hi,

Looking for some help. Trying to replace leaky front oil seal behind front pulley/balancer. Can not loosen large bolt holding balancer to crank shaft. Is it reverse threaded? I do not want to force it.

thanks,
den
Plymouth, MA

On the 119 engine, it loosens the normal way (counter-clockwise). I had to use a floor jack under a breaker bar to get mine loose. Maybe this link will help, if you haven't already done the job.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=190442&highlight=400e+water+pump

I'm marking this for future reference.

I just did this job about three weeks ago. The bolt is normal thread (righty tighty, lefty loosey) but has a very high torque spec. You will most likely need the crankshaft locking tool that engages the starter ring gear to prevent the crankshaft from turning when removing/retorqueing this bolt. Once the crank is locked, a three foot cheater bar makes the job very easy..............

Also, be sure to position the crank at 0 TDC prior to removing the balancer/pulley. That way the woodruff key will be at the 12 oclock position. BE VERY CAREFUL when you reinstall the balancer/pulley. It is very easy to push the woodruff key into the the lower timing chain cover if things aren't lined up properly. (ask me how I know........fortunately, the car gods were with me, magnetic fishing retrieved the key from the depths on the first cast)

J. M. van Swaay