My 2000 ML-320 has 53000 miles on it.

I did a visual inspection of the rubber insert in the balancer and it looks ok, i think, at least no visable cracking on the front edge.

The part number is 112 035 06 00

What do you MB Tech recommend?

Is this a newer version or still of the manufacutring lot that should be replaced.

Also, what is the approximate cost to replace the balancer at an MB Dealership?

Thanks for the advise.

Balancer catastrophically FAILED in October 7, 2003 on ML430 @ 72,000 miles. Had vehicle in for service December 13, 2004 with 88,279 miles and asked for dealer to inspect harmonic balancer. Imagine my surprise when I was informed a new balancer was needed for $350. I advised tech writer to go back to his records and reconfirm I paid over $2,000 after supposedly splitting the October 2003 repair cost and then come back and see me. His parting words were "it's 14 months old.....Mercedes only warrants parts for 12 months." He returned shortly to advise "(they) would take care of it".

(I did a visual inspection (engine not running) prior to taking it in for this routine service ("B" service without any oil, any filters, rotation, balance, wiper blades, etc. since I had all these taken care of prior to this appointment). I did NOT notice any cracks in the rubber. However, the service ticket reads "inspected crank balancer, found wobbly". Balancer part number on this service ticket reads 112-035-13-00-05.

__________________
Jim

Jm,

What year is your ML-430?

Sounds like the new "redesigned" balancers are holding up any better than the originals.

Has any progress been made towards helping owners recover some or all of their money for damages occurring due to the harmonic balancer? I'd heard rumor of a class action against MG and I'd talked to some MB employees well over a year ago that seemed to think that the company would be forced to do something.

Looks like there is a recall campain started...

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=119790

__________________
Proud owner of ....
1971 280SE W108
1979 300SD W116
1983 300D W123
1975 Ironhead Sportster chopper
1987 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 Diesel
1989 Honda Civic (Heavily modified)
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Section 609 MVAC Certified
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"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche

After reading and skimming through these 30 pages, my guess is that we've not seen the last of this. I'm not certain the DC has nailed the design issues down on the dampner. Soooooo, if I choose to just do it myself on my 113 motor, I'll need now and for the next time (with the question dejour in parens):

112 589 00 40 00 superceded by 111 589 00 40 00 dampner counter hold (is this still available thorugh Phil in Fastlane?)

17mm allen head socket. Hello Snap-on

113 589 00 40 00 fan pulley counter hold (any other non destructive way to hold it)

113 589 00 01 00 flat open end wrench (thin) about 35 or 37mm to unscrew the viscous fan (cheap source)

Two large cheaters. I've got 2 4-5' pieces of pipe that I used when I changed out the front seal on a 110 motor. an equally demanding task

006 990 70 04 New Bolt (is this allen or hex)

112 035 13 00 05 New dampner (is this the most recent/best part number)

Front seal (should I replace it while I'm there or leave well enough alone)

What else am I missing?

Cheers all

__________________
S, J.R. Brown
2000 G500 LWB Obsedian Black
2005 Toyota Tacoma Access Cab Off Road Sport
1993 Volvo 240 Sedan Anthracite
1980 450SEL Champange (owned it for 15 years. Great car)
1986 280GE LWB Anthracite (Sold it and kinda wish I hadn't)