My dealer whispered about this 2 months ago, and now still refuses to perform the replacement until I get the magic letter from MBUSA. Has anyone NOT gotten theirs yet?
I feel like I'm sitting on a time bomb with this part and I'm wondering why I haven't gotten the greenlight to proceed.

I am still waiting for the lettle.

There's an MB Service Campaign Bulletin posted on EddieGTP's site which (sort of) explains the delay - they will be doing it in stages and need to locate all the owners (with most W210s having changed hands quite a few times by now, I'm sure its going to be slow). Man, I hope this is a worldwide thing cuz I have a feeling my HB is going......Anyway, here's an screen capture of the part of the bulletin I'm referring to. In order to jump the que, looks like you're going to need to demonstrate you have symptoms of the HB going:

Thanks, Dave!
How have you been?

Ben

RBrenton, I distilled the basics of the recall and posted in tech talk. Here's the link: https://mbworld.org/forums/mercedes-tech-talk/109407-harmonic-balancer-recall-key-points.html

To summarize, basically even if your car is in the suspect group, there are only two HB part numbers subject to the recall. For my own peace of mind I checked mine and it's not in the recall (although my VIN is within the range).

It takes maybe 3 minutes to check and the most difficult part is getting the HB rotated to a position that you can see the part number. I just looked at mine every time I turned off the engine over a few days and one day, there it was, centered and on top, just waiting for me.

Beats waiting for MBZ to get around to you. FYI, there are some 368,000 cars affected, and that's why they're doing it in stages to ensure adequate parts supply, etc. However, they will ignore the letter if you actually have the symptoms that point to the HB.

Good luck and enjoy the ride,
Greg

Hi Ben, I'm busy as ever but hanging in there. Seem to be doing up other ppls car more than my own these days. Hope ur well - have U got the rest of your bodykit yet? Dying to see your car finished bro.

Somehow I think there's an echo in here.....:p

Hi,

I am wondering how many recalls in the past of our W210?
I have never gotten any lettle regarding to recall!
Any idea?

thanks!
Ben

Thanks for asking, Dave!
I paid to Virtual Junkyard in Houston, TX for an AMG bumper. But, they sent me a CLK bumper. After telling them the problem, they never replied....
Here is the link: https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...73#post1153473
Except that, everything is fine, just busy!
Anyway, Sorry for it, RBrenton88!

Hope you resolve the situation...and the HB issue (just to bring this back on toppic, hee, hee :p )

I'll che3ck the thread, but it was the deale who said to me "by the way, your HB is cracking and needs to be replaced, but wait for 2 weeks until we get authorization from MBUSA" That was 2 months ago.

That's not very reassuring. I think they need to work their *** faster so your car won't break before they get to it otherwise, your car would probably get further damage if it cracked.

Is this recall affecting MY 02 or just up to the 01?Speaking of recalls,,Im still waiting to hear about the volt. reg/brake/battery thing they talked about.Anyone hear late news?

I stoppped by South Bay Mercedes (SoCal) and asked about this Harmonic Balancer recall, they confirm that all Mercedes M112/113 (V6/V8) engine built between 98-2001 would quality for HB exame and replacement (they were doing few of them in the shop).

The way dealer explains it, if customer really ask about it, or regular (a.k.a special) customer bring car in for service and ask for full check up, then they would do it. They don't send out recall letter out for now, I guess since it doesn't have much to do w/ car safety (brake/steering/fire...)

My car (98 E320), however, is not qualify for it. Turned out that in 03/2001, right before I bought it, the HB went out (at around 30K mile !!!), took along the oil pan, fan, belt, and a bunch of other craps. Record show that they already used newer-design HB in my car for that repair. Service advisor estimate that it costs around $4K for that job !!!!

It's like a time bomb

Had the HB recall work about two weeks ago at the dealership -- no charge -- for my '98 E320.

would 97 fall under the recall

The 96-97 use the I6 engine, no problem whatsoever w/ the Harmonic balancer. Only the 98-2001 (M112 engine, V6) have this problem.

cool, thanks man

we have a 2000 E320 and we recently brought it to the dealer for new brakes pads. When I picked up the car and looked at the service receipt/summary,there were two other 'problems' that we didn't mention to our service advisor, one being "check harmonic balancer(vibration damper), if wrong part number, replace". We didn't receive a recall letter, nor mention this problem to our service advisor, so I guess this problem is quietly being fixed by MB.

Started up the car this am and noticed a squeaking noise coming from the engine. Popped the hood and took a peek inside and looked at the balancer and sure enough it was wobbling off axis by a good 20 degrees!

Called dealer and setup an appt. Confirmed it's covered under recall (based on vin). Hope I make it down there without it completely failing!

BTW, you could not hear the squeaking from inside the car.

-travis

Do your bank account a favor: do not drive it there. Get a tow truck. If you know the HB have problem, and still drive the car, if it break, you will have to pay for the repair.

Replace the HB is about $300-400 job, but if that thing broke and hit the oil pan, cam cover, and the aux fan & radiator, it's $2400-3000 job (saw from record of my car repair), and you will have to pay for that

Not just don't drive, don't start the car engine

Very true Zam. Was thinking about this as well after I had type up my message.

Good thing there's AAA and the dealer is literally just down the hill from my home.

Certainly don't want to play the risk if that damm things fails.

cheers,

-travis

We had both the HB and the door seals taken care of during regular service with no letter in hand.

Got the car to the dealer today. Ended up driving the car to the dealership since the two tow trucks sent could not safely load the benz. Yes, I made it there safely.

The drivers did say to call for a special type of flatbed that separates in the middle and is more friendly to lowered vehicles. Good info, hopefully, I won't need it.

Autobahn motors in Belmont, CA was aware of the recall and didn't try to hassle or BS me. Straightforward fix and return.

I wasn't aware of any door seal issue other than some cars exhibiting rust under the seals?

Is this the door seal repair you were referring to?

thanks!

-travis

They said my '00 55 wasnt covered under the recall. Called up MBUSA, same story.

did the HB fail on the E55?

If not, then I guess you got the 'good' motor. I wish I had that problem.