where are part number descriptions?

 

huh?

what do you mean?

 

example: A 218 490 01 01

 

https://www.benzworld.org/forums/w14...ng-system.html

google is yoru friend

 

sorry but not in this area

 

You could turn it inside out or upside down and you'd find that part number, that's a couple of ways, I guarantee it!

 

Sooo, the Benz p/n system is not google friendly for the most part because of the inherent spaces between the chassis, group, subgroup, id. So I usually just remove the "A" and the spaces and find what I need.

First hit on my google search for the part number in your post.

https://www.ebay.com/p/Rear-Exhaust-...63-AMG-02-11-A]2184900101/10020226890

 

Thank you that will help but what I was specifically looking for was; first letter means ?, next three numbers means (I think it is the chassis}, next two and so on. Maybe there is no coding sequence and it's random but knowing the Germans, I doubt it. Again thanks for the help.

 

Ahh, so yeah I had someone explain it to me once and it made a little sense. I think since then there have been other numbering conventions that have come about (e.g. the N0000000 0000000 p/ns). However things like clips/clamps/etc have been used across many models over the years. I have some "123" prefix parts (from the W123 chassis) on my W221 car. At some point I just gave up on trying to make sense of it and decided to just make sure I had the right part number based on the EPC.

 

here ya go:
The Mercedes-Benz "Group" system

The original factory identification system was inherited from car and truck production, it dates back to sometime right after W.W.I. The first system was all "alpha" based and parts books were organized in the following order:

MMotor (Motor)

KuKupplung (Clutch)

GGetriebe (Transmission/gear box)

VVordachse (Front axle)

HHinterachse (Rear Axle)

RRahmen (Frame)

FFederung (Springs)

StStussdämpfer (Travel dampener, shock absorber)

BBremsen (Brakes)

LLenkung (Steering)

KKühle (Cooling)

KrAKraftstoffanlage (Fuel system)

EElektrische Ausrüstung (Electric system)

DDruckluftanlage (Pneumatic item, trailer brakes, lift cylinder, air powered rear 3 point hitch)

ZZapfwellen (PTO’s)

AAufbau (Cab, body)

PPritsche (Rear platform)

You’ll find this format followed in all the early service manuals, etc.. In the late 40’s they realized that an all numeric system would be better for the parts identification system, however, it took them awhile to finalize the system. The motors were numbered:

1Engine, non moving parts

3Engine moving parts

5Engine timing

7Injection system

9Fuel and air filters, etc.

13Air compressor

15Engine electrical system

18Engine lubrication

20Engine cooling system

22Motor mounts

This system has basically remained in place right through current production.
Unfortunately, they first decided that each system, motor, chassis and cab, would have it’s own number sequence. Thus chassis were first numbered:

1Front axle

2Rear axle

3Frame

4Wheels/tires

5Springs, shocks, dampener

8Steering

12Brakes

13Transmission/PTO’s

15PTO shafts

18Bumper

21Trailer hitch, fixed drawbar

223 point hitch

31Fuel system

40Radiator

62Battery box, wiring harnesses, etc.

In the early 60’s it seemed to the parts guys that this was cumbersome as you could have a spare part with a group 3 number, but without looking at it, you could not tell if it was an engine part or a chassis part. At the same time MB was adopting key punch based computing systems and they needed to standardize their part numbering sequence. Thus was born the system used today, where the group number immediately identifies where on a vehicle the part goes. The part number identifies the group a part belongs to. The modern group system is formatted:


Groups 01 to 23 are engine related

Groups 24 to 58 are the chassis including the platform

Groups 60 to 92 are cab related


The MB number system then tells you where something goes, and whether or not it is a proprietary item or a trade item. The current front brake caliper, that would fit the disc brake U900, U1100, U1200, U1400, etc. in the forward, right hand, front axle position is now part number:


A 427 421 20 98


This can be broken down as follows: the "A" indicates it is a regular Mercedes-Benz part. The 427 is the model this part was first used on and also indicates it is a proprietary part. The "421" indicates it is part of the brake system, and further more is a hydraulic component rather than pneumatic which would use a "43x" in this position. "20" indicates this is the twentieth version of this part, the "98" is the "part number" in the master listing. The ninety eighth part.


To really keep the parts guys confused, the inventory system is organized to read this part number and stock it using the following sequence numerically. Digit order:


four, five, six, nine, ten, one, two, three, seven, eight.


This system is why computer programmers, HATE MB’s parts system. It takes some special software to teach a computer to count out of sequence. Even though this caliper is built by ATE (Alfred Teves) it is proprietary to MB. If it was an adapted off the shelf item, available through the after market, the part number would start with zero such as A 002 421 xx xx. The zero in position one, one & two, or one , two and three, indicates the part is a common trade part.

A similar system is followed with part numbers for DIN (Deutsche Industrial Normal) hardware items. These items are all in a 12 digit part number form and are preceded by the letter "N":


N 000960 020078


This follows a similar concept. The "N" indicates it is "normal" hardware. The "000" means it’s a standard item, the "960" means that it conforms to DIN standard 960, which is a hex head, cap screw, with partial threaded shank, the "020" is the diameter 20.0 mm, and the "078" is MB’s designation meaning this is the seventy eighth 20.0 mm bolt, and specification number 78 will spell out length, thread pitch, hardness etc. In this case it is a steel, grade 10.9 bolt, M20 x 1.5 x 85 long and used on the front shock mount on a 419 Unimog, and late model, disc brake, U900, U1100 models. They follow this system with all of the hardware, clamps, etc. that are trade items. If it is a specialty fastener they will give it a proprietary MB number. A good example would be the differential used in the U900, U110, U1200. The differential case is held to the ring gear with eight bolts. Four of these are a standard DIN fastener and have the part number N 000960 012277, a 12.0 mm bolt conforming to DIN 960. The other four are a special "fitted" bolt, with a special diameter shank, these have a MB Number A 416 990 52 19 since they cannot be purchased from a bolt supplier.

All MB part numbers start with an alpha character. Unimog owners will encounter:

AA regular MB part

CA newer designation for whole MB assemblies

NA DIN hardware item

WA special tool

 

From the start it is just amazing the detail this company and it's personal have. Without computers, reference numbers and records of everything, it's mind boggling. Again thanks for the info. BTW is this in a type of history book of the Daimler Benz / Mercedes company?

 

I remember learning about it and having charts in the training manuals in ELITE, but this came from a website listed in another thread on this subject here on MBWorld. I would look for it in my manuals, but I just recently had them all recycled, I think...I'll have to check when I get home.

 

Its not that unique, pretty much every mfg has a parts system similar to this. When you consider the number of models, options and parts they've got to break it down into something that makes reference sense.