How to change crank seal when changing harmonic damper?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 3
Likes: 1
2001 E320
How to change crank seal when changing harmonic damper?
Hi - my harmonic damper is failing on my 2001 E320 so I've ordered the parts to change it out, looks pretty easy. A few posts that I've seen mention that I should change the crank seal at the same time, but I've not been able to find anything that shows how to do this. Any tips? I ordered the seal along with the damper, bolt, and new belt. Thanks!
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 3
Likes: 1
2001 E320
Thanks - do you mean the harmonic dampener job or the seal? I'm pretty mechanical and have ordered the special tool to hold the dampener in place. As for the seal, I found a related link that makes the seal job look pretty easy (pry out with a screwdriver, then tap new one in place). https://workshop-manuals.com/mercede...eal/page_6410/
Thanks!
Thanks!
Last edited by bison; Jun 17, 2018 at 01:29 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,224
Likes: 1,798
From: V E G A S
1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
MB crankshaft seals do have 30 years of life expectancy, so IMHO the advise is 40 years old 
Meaning- would that be me, I would just inspect the seal and if it doesn't show any mechanical damage- reuse it.
Replacing it brings higher risk of damaging something than reusing the old seal.
The job doesn't have to be easy. I was removing front bolt on my diesel and had to use 4-foot extension on breaker bar to get about 500 ft-lb breaking torque. 'It will be easy when you get good tools.
Beware of out of control members asking for VIN. They don't need it to answer the question.
Meaning- would that be me, I would just inspect the seal and if it doesn't show any mechanical damage- reuse it.
Replacing it brings higher risk of damaging something than reusing the old seal.
The job doesn't have to be easy. I was removing front bolt on my diesel and had to use 4-foot extension on breaker bar to get about 500 ft-lb breaking torque. 'It will be easy when you get good tools.
Beware of out of control members asking for VIN. They don't need it to answer the question.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 3
Likes: 1
2001 E320
Well it went pretty well. Not easy to get the bolt off but nothing a bit of mechanical advantage couldn't solve (pipe as an extension to my breaker bar). Really helped to have the special tool to hold the harmonic balancer. I popped the old seal out with a screwdriver and tapped the new one in place using a short piece of ABS plastic pipe. I tapped it in gently until it seemed to bottom out a bit deeper than flush with the front of the block, is that correct? Maybe it was 1/16" or a bit less deeper than flush, even all the way around.
Put on the new balancer and bolt, torqued to 150 ft-lb, then again a bear to get it an additional 90 degrees. Back together quickly thereafter, put on a new belt and fired it up. Looks good!
Put on the new balancer and bolt, torqued to 150 ft-lb, then again a bear to get it an additional 90 degrees. Back together quickly thereafter, put on a new belt and fired it up. Looks good!
