But the C280 is.

NP

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"If it's not BLOWN, it sucks"

1998 C280 Sport - Member 744 Crew
1988 Toyota MR2-Kompressor(No. 3) 168K+ Miles
Prior MB Cars 1974 450SLC & 1985 190E 2.3

Click This Link - IOS, Greece - Get Your Phreak On

What we have found is that the 112-035-00-00 are the only balancers that fail. Any later part such as the 112-035-05-00 and the 06-00 and so on are OK.

The best way is the bump over the engine a little at a time and you will see the number on the rear portion of the balancer.

PS....I have been thinking of sending Merc a box of the balancers every time one fails.


HMMMMMM....A picture is worth a thousand words though.

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

This is how the 112 035 00 00 looks, viewed from above:



BTW, no pic available in the FastLane shop? Part A2210-116347 for $70.68.

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W163.154, M112.942, 722.662, ZF.970.402

A picture of a box of balancers??? How about a pallet of timing covers?!

I was at a dealer recently... while in the back, the parts guy shows me a stack (19 in all) of timing covers waiting to be returned to MBNA, under warranty... all damaged by failed balancers.

To which the parts guy states: "I don't know why we have to send them back. Its not like NA doesn't know why they failed."

Thanks Wolfgang! Pulled the engine cover on my ML430 and mine is a #112 035 00 00. Wonder if the dealer will replace it under warranty? I've got about 1500 miles left on it.

Alan, have the dealer check the balancer before the warranty is out.

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W163.154, M112.942, 722.662, ZF.970.402

I have been visually checking my balancer on a regular basis since I found this thread. Yesterday when I started my car, I had a vibration at idle as I started the car, and when I would place the car in gear and hold the break down. reverse is more noticeable than drive. I had a friend start the car with the hood open and I don't see any wobling of the balancer but I feel pretty certian it is the balancer. I'm pretty in tune with my cars, and can usually tell when something is a little off. My car is a 98 e430 with about 62K on it.. I plan on calling the dealerships in the area tomorrow to see which one is the most consumer frendly, and I may just replace it myself, to rule it out so I dont get stranded somewhere.

any suggestions?

Sterling

98 e430
90 928s4 6.4 liter with VarioCam
http://www.928sg.com

While your balancer may or may not be bad, the conditions you describe of a vibration at idle sound just like the characteristic symptoms of motor mounts that are worn out.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

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

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