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'04 E55 (Gone but not forgotten), '13 C63 P31 (RIP), another '13 C63 PP
Issue with ribbed idler pulley
I had the bearing seize up on the ribbed idler pulley and it exploded, shredding the belt. I took the opportunity to go ahead and buy the UPD replacement and swap all 5 out. Everything went fine except when it came to the ribbed pulley. When I instal it the way indicated in the instructions, I get metal on metal dragging when it is torqued to 20nm... When I flip it the other way, it spins free but with visible wobble. I called UPD and we are swapping that pulley... I have used these on another M156 and even the M113 kit I've used, but never encountered this issue.
Anyone have any thoughts or ideas on what might be happening?
do you have a photo of the pulley? the only pulley that rubs on mine is the tensioner pulley. this one since it's seeming movement should be a double bearing. the other ones don't rub but one barely fits under the shoulder bolt as the factory cup washer does not fit as factory does. if you flip it the other way so the cup washer fits under the shoulder bolt, it is literally 1mm from contact.
it definitely looks installed backwards in the photo and video. maybe they screwed up on their machine work and set the bearing at the wrong depth which is causing the contact when installed the other way.
here is mine installed. sorry I don't have a current photo as I pulled them off to install factory pulleys for the time being. was troubleshooting the belt issue on my car so currently have factory pulleys currently.
'04 E55 (Gone but not forgotten), '13 C63 P31 (RIP), another '13 C63 PP
Originally Posted by hachiroku
it definitely looks installed backwards in the photo and video. maybe they screwed up on their machine work and set the bearing at the wrong depth which is causing the contact when installed the other way.
Yep, it is. When installed to instruction I get massive drag along the front of the engine,
UPD has another pulley heading my way in the next couple days so we will see if that changes anything.
2012 C63;1971 280SE 3.5(Sold);2023 EQS 450 SUV 4 Matic (Wife's)
Let's hope the replacement cures the problem. The ribbed pulley on my car works great. I really don't see anything for the pulley to rub on the front of the engine. Perhaps there is pressure on both sides of the bearing race when installed causing the bearing to bind. When you have it installed backwards it doesn't look like it is getting tightened down enough causing the slight wobble. I think I read about someone else having an issue but I don't remember hearing what the cure is if there ever was one. Hope you get a quick solution.
'04 E55 (Gone but not forgotten), '13 C63 P31 (RIP), another '13 C63 PP
Originally Posted by Mort
Let's hope the replacement cures the problem. The ribbed pulley on my car works great. I really don't see anything for the pulley to rub on the front of the engine. Perhaps there is pressure on both sides of the bearing race when installed causing the bearing to bind. When you have it installed backwards it doesn't look like it is getting tightened down enough causing the slight wobble. I think I read about someone else having an issue but I don't remember hearing what the cure is if there ever was one. Hope you get a quick solution.
is it just me or does it seem like the base of that pulley mount has been worn down 3-4mm? Maybe I'll have to pull my pulley's off and take photos for comparison.
2012 C63;1971 280SE 3.5(Sold);2023 EQS 450 SUV 4 Matic (Wife's)
Originally Posted by G_Money
it rubs just to the right of the mount there.
It looks to me like your previous pulley caused serious damage to the mount before it grenaded. It may not be the UPD pulley that is the problem but rather the mounting stub that is worn. It looks like the part on the front of the engine will need to be replaced or maybe repaired (if possible). Pretty sure it is part of the water pump part# 156 200 06 01 80 (includes the gasket). https://www.getmercedesparts.com/v-2...em--water-pump
Sorry, I know that is a bit of a bummer and not really what you were hoping to hear.
you're obviously not seeing the ridge cut into the inner most ridge of the base of the dowel.
to my eyes it looks like a 2-4mm cut. but would need to compare with another unit up close and probably with measurement to be sure.
I do see what you are referring to, however 2mm would be max, looks like 1mm at most. If it is 2-4mm he could do a quick test using a washer, or leave it that way if it works out.
I am assuming from his description that the rubbing is where the green arrow is, and that it could be wobbling due to the variance in wear between the sides (red arrows).
'04 E55 (Gone but not forgotten), '13 C63 P31 (RIP), another '13 C63 PP
Originally Posted by blurred
I do see what you are referring to, however 2mm would be max, looks like 1mm at most. If it is 2-4mm he could do a quick test using a washer, or leave it that way if it works out.
I am assuming from his description that the rubbing is where the green arrow is, and that it could be wobbling due to the variance in wear between the sides (red arrows).
Right, that's the feeling I've had that I haven't wanted to admit! Luckily its the water pump and not part of the actual block.
I get the hate of the plastic pulley possibly failing, but adding a lot of weight by using metal pulleys isn't really a gain. If your vehicle is regularly serviced by a professional you wont have a catastrophic failure, it will be checked. I've never seen a failure of one of these pulleys with in 40k mi. While thats not a long time, I've seen them survive over a 100k. I'd recommend replacing belt, pulleys and tensioner at 60k. sooner if you are doing road racing.
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
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