If I understand you then, your HB never failed. Rather, it appeared like it may be ready to by the condition of the rubber outer rim.

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Dave

1998 E320
2001 SLK320
2000 Lexus RX300

The rubber section was ~ 0.5" proud of the face of the pulley at the point of greatest protrusion (about 3:00 in the photo). In total, roughly 90 degrees was not flush (as it should be). In my book, that is a failure. It just hadn't proceeded to the point of taking out other parts, yet.

The dealer confirmed the failure, but presented a clearly rehearsed "MB considers this to be a normal wear item that should be replaced every 80k miles" speech. When I pressed the service manager on the old part (00 00) versus new part (08 00) question, he fell back into the speech, wouldn't acknowledge any difference between the two - "they're all supposed to be replaced." When I questioned him about pre-80k failures, he claimed no knowledge of any HB failing with less than 80k miles.

I left feeling, on the one hand, frustrated by what appears to be a concerted effort to sweep the issue under the rug. On the other hand, I'm OK with the "deal" that we worked out. $55 for the HB+bolt and $156 in labor was split between me & the dealer (my cost $105 and change). The service manager made it clear that it was him, not MBUSA, that was eating half the cost in the interest of customer relations.

If you think the harmonic balancer design is bad on the V-6 engines, you should see the HB design on the 1.8 L 4-cylinder Kompressor engine. The HB design on that engine resembles a "Hockey Puck" that is made of hard rubber with a groove to retain the serpentine belt. On mine, the belt slipped off the HB before the car reached 20,000 miles on the odometer and tore up the HB and several electrical sensors. According to the service advisor, they have seen this issue before.

All I can say is, that in retrospect the HB balancer on your vehicle is now a quality part based upon Mercedes new designs. I also was displeased the the HB on my 2000 ML320 but this design now appears good to me based upon what I now see on my 2003 C230K.

the new # is 13 instead of 08. i installed one in november.
it is now coming apart. to be replaced under warrenty
this coming week.

Did you install a "08" or "13" HB in Nov. that has now failed? I had a "13" installed in Nov that seems to be holding.

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Paul 1987 300 SDL; 2000 ML; '69 MGB; '68 VW Fastback

sorry, i installed the 13. the rubber is starting to squeeze out.

george

Nuts!!! That means that MB hasn't fixed the HB yet! I have low mileage on my "13" HB, so I guess that is the answer; don't drive much! Can anybody put a positive spin on this situation?

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Paul 1987 300 SDL; 2000 ML; '69 MGB; '68 VW Fastback

This happened on my 82' Peugeot. I bought it in this condition for $200 in 94' and welded the SOB on and it lasted for 4 more years when I unloaded it for $750!

I guess this would not be a reccomendation for a 98' or newer MB?

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Current stable......
17' Rogue SV 70k
11’ Saab 9-5 NG 94k
10’ e550 4matic 185k

sold
02' e320 210k
00' e430 167k
01' e320 171k (regret sale)
91' 300d 2.5t 300k (sold to ecoofidaho)
79' 240d 177k (old yellow my avatar)
87' 300d 169k (junk but fast)
85' 300tdt 261k (RBM parts delivery)
85' 300dt 68k (one owner cream puff)
82' 240d 250k
84' 300dt 198k (sold to diesel don)
91' 190e 2.3 61k
88' 260e 140k

My brother called me about noises from the pulley on his 99 ML320 which has about 60,000 miles. I though it may be the famous HB problem and pointed him to this thread. And of course it was the HB about to fall out.
Anyhow, he got the car to the dealer and they agreed to take care of it -The dealer was also trying to get their money back by recommending B service for $700.00 (which he just had done) - then recommending replacing some electrical wiring harness $250.00- he said no to both.

He'll get the car home tonight, so I'll follow up on it. The dealer is in Raleigh, NC.
I feel like I'm sitting on a time bomb with my 98 E320 approaching 60,000 mile also. Does any one know any dealer from SE florida would handle the HB mess as a good faith?

JeffreyP

The wiring harness they wanted to replace was probably the auxillary fan wiring harness. They have been upgraded along with the fuse due to air conditioniner failures due to the fuse blowing all the time. Your right, anyone driving one of these new V6's or V8's is driving a time bomb. The Mercedes Experience, Unlike Any Other

Hello,
Jeffrey, is the dealer Leith Mercedes? I have had the same thing happen to me with the 2000 ML320 that they supplied. The service advisors there are very clever in the sense that they will take care of any warranty work without even raising an eyebrow, the HB, brake master cylinder and some small clip was replaced hassle free on that car but then they hammered us for a rear brake pad change and related stuff for $700.
I was not in Raleigh at the time and unable to do the work myself and Leith convinced my niece that the car needed new pads *immediately*, but when I asked if the wear indicator lite was blinking, she said *no*, then upon measuring the old pads, there was still 5mm friction material left, Leith's reasoning was that the pads would not have run until the next time the FSS lit up, which was set to 12 months on that car.
Well, they are there to make money, after all. No matter what the level of service or friendliness I find at any dealership, I still prefer to do my own repairs as far as possible or let a competent indie work on my car while I breath down his/her throat.

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Nachi11744

Yes, it is Leith Mercedes. My brother actually had the HB fixed+ new oil pan and drove out of there without any money out of his pocket.
Good thing he got to this site, then printed out all the pages in this thread to show the service manager. Of course, they are well aware of the problem.
Maybe we should have a campaign for the auxillary fan wiring harness?

JeffreyP

Hello,
I think your brother needs to look for Mr. Donald McNeilly III at Leith Mercedes, he *was* always very helpful to customers to sort out this kind of stuff, like the W210 a/c evap replacements, wiring harness on the M104 and the HB issue on the M112,113 engines.
The trouble is, he has probably been promoted by now to keep him from giving all the freebies to customers.
He could go to the indies, one that comes to mind is JoeP, he is located behind Olde Raleigh Motors on Millbrook Road(Acme Motors?). Former partner Brian has moved *Behind the Star* out of Raleigh, the name of the place he moved to escapes me right now.
Hope that helps.

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Nachi11744

Mr. nachi11744

My brother is in Raleigh, NC and his car HB is taken care of by Leith Mercedes out of warranty.
I am in Ft. Lauderdale, FL with my 98 E-320 approaching 60,000 miles but not sure where to go to get my HB fixed/replaced as a good faith?

Jeffrey

Hello,
You could try the nearest dealer or the supplying dealer if you are the original owner to see if it will be a *good faith* or *secret warranty* repair. Failing that, use an indie to have the work done ASAP, rather than be towed in and then have it done *under duress*.
I think that MBUSA should be doing all these for free, the E320 was an expensive car to buy when new and this kind of failures are unheard of on the Mercedes that I have owned and/or driven for years.
Hope that is of some help, I am too far away(8604miles)to volunteer to do the repair for you!!

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Nachi11744