I think the tensioner is bad.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,175
Likes: 24
From: Boston, MA
'14 ML350, '13 C220 CDI, '07 C280, '98 ML320
At the cost of stating the obvious...
Tensioner doesn't just go bad one day, as with most of car parts. There must've been signs of deteriorating tensioner over a period of time.
Tensioner doesn't just go bad one day, as with most of car parts. There must've been signs of deteriorating tensioner over a period of time.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 448
Likes: 4
From: San Antonio, TX
'11 SL550 - '08 ML350
That's the crazy part. I never heard a thing. Then one day driving home from work and the batter/alternator light comes on and I have no power steering. I thought the belt had broken.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,848
Likes: 15
From: Orange County
2005 C Wagon (No snickering please!)
This plastic part is broken because the bearing siezed. They usually scream like two tigers fighting in a bag prior to looking like that. The polybelt and the tensioner should be replaced together. While the belt is off, you might check the alternator, water pump, and power steering pump shaft for smoothness. Any lumps in the git-a-long call for escalation to a pro for diagnosis and repair before you get stranded again.
