Ebay for parts - NEVER AGAIN!
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 109
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From: St Louis, MO
2000 CLK430, 2012 BMW X5 3.5d
Ebay for parts - NEVER AGAIN!
Replaced my belt tensioner and steering damper this evening. I did the damper with the car on the ground and that was a tight squeeze. The tensioner was fairly easy although I wish I had a fan wrench to pull the plastic belt driven fan. I did remove the shroud and pulled the cross member for better access.
When I looked at the belt it seemed pretty brittle and had small stress cracks through the ribs. One rib at the side was separated from the belt. The belt was purchased on eBay a few months ago and was stamped MERCEDES. The belt I pulled off a few months ago was in better condition - even after the idler pulley self destructed.
The tensioner was the older steel wheel style and I replaced it with the newer style as a precautionary measure being that my car has 78K and they are known to fail. Its not as though it was seizing or making noise - although when I pulled it it seemed a little dry and had a slight click when turning - no play though.
Should have ordered from the known part suppliers - now I can get raped by the dealer tomorrow morning!
When I looked at the belt it seemed pretty brittle and had small stress cracks through the ribs. One rib at the side was separated from the belt. The belt was purchased on eBay a few months ago and was stamped MERCEDES. The belt I pulled off a few months ago was in better condition - even after the idler pulley self destructed.
The tensioner was the older steel wheel style and I replaced it with the newer style as a precautionary measure being that my car has 78K and they are known to fail. Its not as though it was seizing or making noise - although when I pulled it it seemed a little dry and had a slight click when turning - no play though.
Should have ordered from the known part suppliers - now I can get raped by the dealer tomorrow morning!
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Joined: Jun 2012
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From: In the minds of others rent free.
SL 400
Sorry to hear about your issues, its strange to hear about the problems you had because I have been buying parts for my 3 Mercedes for years from ebay. Prices ranging from $25 to several hundred and always had pleasing experiances.
Again sorry to hear about your troubles.
Again sorry to hear about your troubles.
Replaced my belt tensioner and steering damper this evening. I did the damper with the car on the ground and that was a tight squeeze. The tensioner was fairly easy although I wish I had a fan wrench to pull the plastic belt driven fan. I did remove the shroud and pulled the cross member for better access.
When I looked at the belt it seemed pretty brittle and had small stress cracks through the ribs. One rib at the side was separated from the belt. The belt was purchased on eBay a few months ago and was stamped MERCEDES. The belt I pulled off a few months ago was in better condition - even after the idler pulley self destructed.
The tensioner was the older steel wheel style and I replaced it with the newer style as a precautionary measure being that my car has 78K and they are known to fail. Its not as though it was seizing or making noise - although when I pulled it it seemed a little dry and had a slight click when turning - no play though.
Should have ordered from the known part suppliers - now I can get raped by the dealer tomorrow morning!
When I looked at the belt it seemed pretty brittle and had small stress cracks through the ribs. One rib at the side was separated from the belt. The belt was purchased on eBay a few months ago and was stamped MERCEDES. The belt I pulled off a few months ago was in better condition - even after the idler pulley self destructed.
The tensioner was the older steel wheel style and I replaced it with the newer style as a precautionary measure being that my car has 78K and they are known to fail. Its not as though it was seizing or making noise - although when I pulled it it seemed a little dry and had a slight click when turning - no play though.
Should have ordered from the known part suppliers - now I can get raped by the dealer tomorrow morning!
Last edited by ThatsMyDawg; Oct 30, 2013 at 02:08 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,273
Likes: 129
From: Orlando, FL
2015 GL550 4matic
got my belt, idler pulley, and tensioner from local Advance Auto parts. No problems. You can use the coupon codes online and pick up immediately in store. It usually comes out pretty close to buying online for most things and you get it the same day.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 506
Likes: 1
From: Argyle, TX
10 Tahoe LT, 07 Silverado Z71, 99 BMW R1100RT
If you are in a time crunch, there is still no need to get raped by the stealership. You can buy perfectly adequate parts from your local part stores.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 109
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From: St Louis, MO
2000 CLK430, 2012 BMW X5 3.5d
Bought the belt at the dealership today - was labeled as a Gates - price was about 70 with a discount - list was much higher. O'Reilly Automotive had a Gates for about 42. Got it at the dealership because it was on the way home and I wanted to get it done. I agree on going with aftermarket - have been buying from www.autohausaz.com and www.germanautoparts.com for years.
Parts guy and the tech looked at the belt and said it looked pretty bad - almost dry rotted. Either I mixed up the belt (new/old) when I did the install a few months ago - doubtful or the part was bad or a fake - which apparently is a huge problem in the parts industry.
Parts guy and the tech looked at the belt and said it looked pretty bad - almost dry rotted. Either I mixed up the belt (new/old) when I did the install a few months ago - doubtful or the part was bad or a fake - which apparently is a huge problem in the parts industry.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,258
Likes: 209
From: Boston North Shore
2001 CLK320 Cabrio
Did you replace the idler pulley as well?
Failure of the ider pulley has been a common problem (e.g. overtime, the plastic develops fractures and self destructs, causing an untimely/expensive breakdown and sometimes other collateral damage).
Since an OEM replacement is less that $20, decided to replace.
Turned out to be the right decision, as the original pulley had developed 3 cracks
Note: the cracks usually develop on the engine side of the pulley, which is not visible.
As added insurance, I also replaced the serpentine belt, as well as the belt tensioner with the updated redesigned unit.
After 83,500 miles, the belt was in great shape however, when I hand spun the old tensioner, it was starting to develop some bearing noise (e.g. still inaudible with the engine was running).
Read more: https://mbworld.org/forums/clk-class...tensioner.html
Over the years, I've found autohauzAZ to be trusted source of quality OEM replacement parts.
Per the enclosed picture, you got a defective belt.
Failure of the ider pulley has been a common problem (e.g. overtime, the plastic develops fractures and self destructs, causing an untimely/expensive breakdown and sometimes other collateral damage).
Since an OEM replacement is less that $20, decided to replace.
Turned out to be the right decision, as the original pulley had developed 3 cracks
Note: the cracks usually develop on the engine side of the pulley, which is not visible.
As added insurance, I also replaced the serpentine belt, as well as the belt tensioner with the updated redesigned unit.
After 83,500 miles, the belt was in great shape however, when I hand spun the old tensioner, it was starting to develop some bearing noise (e.g. still inaudible with the engine was running).
Read more: https://mbworld.org/forums/clk-class...tensioner.html
Over the years, I've found autohauzAZ to be trusted source of quality OEM replacement parts.
Per the enclosed picture, you got a defective belt.
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Thread Starter
Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 109
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From: St Louis, MO
2000 CLK430, 2012 BMW X5 3.5d
Yes - the pulley was replaced about 4 months ago. It did self destruct and leave me stranded. I had the parts ready to install in the garage but was busy painting the interior of my house. Fortunately no damage was done to anything in the engine bay - except for the plastic fan shroud. With the newly installed tensioner (Autohaus) and the belt (dealer) the engine is very quiet.
Now just waiting for my new shocks from TireRack - Front and Rears (Bilstein HD's) The rear are on order and will take several weeks. Bilstein doesn't for some reason stock them in the US but they are recommended for front and rear. Most people run the HD in the front and the touring at the rear.
Now just waiting for my new shocks from TireRack - Front and Rears (Bilstein HD's) The rear are on order and will take several weeks. Bilstein doesn't for some reason stock them in the US but they are recommended for front and rear. Most people run the HD in the front and the touring at the rear.
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Joined: Sep 2013
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
W208 CLK55 AMG, W203 C32 AMG, W163 M Class Sport
I also regularly purchase parts from Ebay. There are frequently good parts on there. It sounds like its not the source of the parts, but the quality of parts you purchased.
I like www.rockauto.com, pelicanparts.com, autohausaz.com, or rmeuropean.com for parts also.
I see the issue being buying used or Chinese parts which is typically a poor choice. I'd rather spend the extra money on a good part and only do the job once.
I like www.rockauto.com, pelicanparts.com, autohausaz.com, or rmeuropean.com for parts also.
I see the issue being buying used or Chinese parts which is typically a poor choice. I'd rather spend the extra money on a good part and only do the job once.
