I replaced the HB of my 98 ML320 at about 68k miles as "preventive" maintenance after reading all the horror stories. The service manager seemed to be aware that this is a common problem. The cost is about $300 including labor. No big deal given the damage it can do. I am waiting for a class action lawsuit to get my money back...

I also need to get reimbursed for a power steering leak failure: $1200. There should be a class action lawsuit for that defect too.

TJ

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TJ

1998 ML 320
2002 Jag X-type

Forget about class action on the harmonic balancer....everyone wants to cry and complaint but you'd be amazed at how many people actually filed formal compaints on this issue. I am very disappointed.

The only comfort I have is that MB lost a lot of customers and reputation. I'll bet had they handled the customer compaints ina responsible way, they'd

1. have more ongoing customers
2. spent less money to satisfy and keep customers than complying with NHTSA data request and legal fees

How can they say no HB problem when every ML in Japan was recalled and fixed?


Given there was a recall on the p/s, I would suspect class action activity is highly improbable.

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Jim

I am amazed at the lack of initiative on part of these crybabies. Why dont they sue in small claims court or other if large enough? I theatened to do so, and got a fair settlement way back on front subassebly . Try it you may like it! Abe G

George Murphy(MB club tech adviser) , stated to me that this was a problem, C class also.


Marc

Sounds like the HB issue is prevelent with the V-6s. I checked my HB on my '97 E320 - didn't seem to be any issues.

Has anyone seen this problem on the Straight 6s??????

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'97 E320 Black Opal
'86 300E Smoke Silver / Burgundy (retired at 198K)
'63 Austin Healey 3000 Mk II (BJ7) (reluctantly retired)

... when my wife was driving with our child in the back.
It totally failed at highway speed and nearly caused an accident.
The car was hard to control and was on the verge of stalling.
Thankfully she made it home, and the damage was not bad.
It only scored the timing chain cover and shredded the belt.
It's a travistey that Mercedes does not step up and accept reponsibility.

repeat suggestion: Why do you mercedes customers take this crap from dealers? Go to small claims court get summons, then have them talk to you!Been there done that Abe G

98 ml 320 when it had 70,000 miles dealer noticed the problem. I was out of warranty, however it cost me $90.00 labor and Mercedes pick up the cost of the part

I'd thought I'd investigated this vehicle prior to purchasing it used w/60K. Review of the part number reveals 00-00...aaarrgggg.
I was just hung-up on by MB 'customer service,' when trying to pin her down on this issue; that Japan had recalled all of theirs, 'different vehicle' was her response. Local dealer's service manager states he has no knowledge of this issue in his experience (8 months). While my inspection of the wheel doesn't show any obvious flaws, I'm scared S_ _ tless to drive the damn thing over 35....certainly not at highway speeds 100 miles into the mountains on a 2 lane road. So now the question, if I've yet to sustain a catastrophic failure, how can I go to small claims court w/out asserting damages?

Yo cant claim damages before they happen! Howevere you can contact Meredes in Montvale, New Jersey withyour complaint ( send copy to @#$ M/B DEALER.) pRESS YOUR COMPLAINT. Tell them if anything happens to cause you any grief, you will sue for damage in addittion to replacement of defective parts. Good luck,. Abe G

Just for the record - I've got a failure in a "good" HB.

2001 E320 wagon, 04/01 build date. Harmonic balancer part number is A112 035 08 00. Based on information earlier in this thread, this build date/part number should imply a good part. No such joy.

~120k miles on the clock, otherwise mechanically sound. I purchased this wagon new. Service for first 50k was at a trusted dealer, post 50k it's been all me.

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Hello all,

I just went through and replaced the harmonic balancer on my 1999 E320 4matic wagon. It was pretty easy because I bought the huge, special tool required to hold the HB while you service it. It was big $$ and I was wondering if anyone would like to rent it to help me re-coup some of my financial loss on this one. You could save some money by renting it from me (vs. buying it yourself), and I could hopefully re-coup some of my loss- everybody wins.

So if you're interested in renting it, shoot me an e-mail: dano@lyra.com.

Thank you.

ramonajim,

It's very disappointing to hear your 08 00 balancer failed. This is the the balancer I used as a replacement for my 00 00 balancer. And I didn't think balancers were failing on model years 2001 and beyond. Maybe it's just because most people don't have that much mileage on it yet. I hate to think this continues to be a ticking time bomb regardless of which balancer is used or the model year.

How did your balancer fail and did it damage other components?

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Dave

1998 E320
2001 SLK320
2000 Lexus RX300

It appears that M-B is claiming the pulley is a service part. Do you suppose they will come out with a recommendation to change it at 60K miles?

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Fix it 'till it breaks.

Noticed a bit of roughness at idle (its my wife's car, I only drive it once or twice a month - she hadn't mentioned anything). Figured it was time to hit the major service items, posted a list of things I planned to change here, and Gilly pointed me towards the HB.

What you see in the photo is the extent of the "damage". Good news is that I was lucky enough to catch it before it went south. It goes in to the dealer tomorrow (07 July). We'll see how lucky I stay - I'm shooting for a free replacement......