ML Front Differential Failure Fix
#1
Super Member
Thread Starter
ML Front Differential Failure Fix
Recently, I joined the front differential failure club on my ML.![EEK!](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/eek.gif)
Exactly 300 miles outside of the extended warranty period!
Read about the several others who had same issues and was fully braced to cough up the $3000 for the part when I took it to my dealer.
The problem was the pinion bearing failed which caused a loud, harsh rubbing sound that increased as fast as the road speed changed. MB does not offer a bearing kit for the 164, only the complete replacement diff. My tech came up with the idea to see if the actual bearing was available, and after taking the diff apart, a local bearing store had the actual bearing. Don't know if it's OEM, but it was the same measurements and installed as a new one would. So far so good. Over a month and all seems well.
I can't even advise what prices, as I had just got the ML back from the same dealer for a transmission warranty replacement a month prior, and for this visit, they were nice enough to completely goodwill the repair!!![thumbs](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
Got to give kudos where due. Dealer thought out of the box, and thought about their customer service reputation.![bow](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/bowdown.gif)
If I ever find the bearing specs, I will update the post.
![EEK!](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/eek.gif)
Exactly 300 miles outside of the extended warranty period!
![Mad](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/mad.gif)
The problem was the pinion bearing failed which caused a loud, harsh rubbing sound that increased as fast as the road speed changed. MB does not offer a bearing kit for the 164, only the complete replacement diff. My tech came up with the idea to see if the actual bearing was available, and after taking the diff apart, a local bearing store had the actual bearing. Don't know if it's OEM, but it was the same measurements and installed as a new one would. So far so good. Over a month and all seems well.
I can't even advise what prices, as I had just got the ML back from the same dealer for a transmission warranty replacement a month prior, and for this visit, they were nice enough to completely goodwill the repair!!
![thumbs](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
Got to give kudos where due. Dealer thought out of the box, and thought about their customer service reputation.
![bow](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/bowdown.gif)
If I ever find the bearing specs, I will update the post.
#5
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X350d GLE500e 2017, ML350 BlueTec 2012(sold), A200 2013, ML350CDI 2009(sold), Aston Martin DB7 2003
It would be madness to only replace the front bearing!
You have four bearings, all sharing the same oil.
When one bearing fails, metal flakes shed away, and circulate into the other bearings. These flakes get peened into the surface of these bearings creating work hardened areas and fissures beside. You may not see these with the naked eye but they will be there and will lead to premature failure.
That bearing number is a standard size and I suggest the other three bearings will be in stock at your local bearing supplier, as well as your local differential specialist.
The cost of the full set is in the $100~200 range. The installtion cost for replacing four bearings would be barely $20 extra.
Compared with the whole cost for removal, cleaning, replacing and refit, why not spend a little extra and have the job done properly?
You have four bearings, all sharing the same oil.
When one bearing fails, metal flakes shed away, and circulate into the other bearings. These flakes get peened into the surface of these bearings creating work hardened areas and fissures beside. You may not see these with the naked eye but they will be there and will lead to premature failure.
That bearing number is a standard size and I suggest the other three bearings will be in stock at your local bearing supplier, as well as your local differential specialist.
The cost of the full set is in the $100~200 range. The installtion cost for replacing four bearings would be barely $20 extra.
Compared with the whole cost for removal, cleaning, replacing and refit, why not spend a little extra and have the job done properly?
#6
Super Member
Thread Starter
All required bearings were replaced. When I said front diff bearings, it was in reference to the diff location in the vehicle, as opposed to the rear diff or center diff.
The parts to do the job were what I posted as given to me by the MB dealer. The dealer did this job on a good will, so I was not complaining.
So far over 24K miles since the repair and not a hint of issue.
The parts to do the job were what I posted as given to me by the MB dealer. The dealer did this job on a good will, so I was not complaining.
So far over 24K miles since the repair and not a hint of issue.
#7
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X350d GLE500e 2017, ML350 BlueTec 2012(sold), A200 2013, ML350CDI 2009(sold), Aston Martin DB7 2003
Ok I understand. Its just that the number you posted, HM88542/88510 is the typical nose pinion bearing (which is at the front of the pinion).
This would usually match up with M88649/88610 for the tail pinion bearing, and the side carrier bearings left and right could well be LM501349/501310 or LM603049/603010 or LM102949/102910.
I am vague because I am guessing the actual bearings.
But I am glad they have fixed it properly.
This would usually match up with M88649/88610 for the tail pinion bearing, and the side carrier bearings left and right could well be LM501349/501310 or LM603049/603010 or LM102949/102910.
I am vague because I am guessing the actual bearings.
But I am glad they have fixed it properly.
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#9
Rebuilding ML350 2006-2011 front differential
After opening differential I found first hand what is needed and available.
Differential has total of 4 bearings with coresponding races. Each bearing and race have different part numbers, all of them are made by Timken, two in the US, two (they are identical) are made in Poland.
Part numbers in pairs for bearing and race are:
HM 89449 and HM 89410 (available at Advance and other part stores, you need one of each)
HM 88542 and HM 88510 (available at Advance and other parts stores, you need one of each)
KLM503349 and KLM503311 (you need two of each) made in Poland. You can buy bearing locally but race KLM503311 is available from China and Europe only. Timken makes them specifically for this application, they are not available through stores or distributors. I was looking for them for 3 days, you can save that time. Mercedes probably did this purposely so you have to spend $2,500 on entire assembly.
When we opened the case it was apparent that these two bearings were damaged. Mercedes has to realize that they should not be using cheap Polish materials and parts in luxury cars. They are failing between 50-70K miles. My car has 75K, I found comments about them failing at 50K.
You don't need any seals or anything else. I was watching mechanic taking differential out in two hours. Total job with replacing bearings should not take more than 5-6 hours. If they tell you anything else, it is A dealer's BS. I trust my eyes more than any of these certified, turbo stealership mechanics and their "books".
I hope this helps.
Differential has total of 4 bearings with coresponding races. Each bearing and race have different part numbers, all of them are made by Timken, two in the US, two (they are identical) are made in Poland.
Part numbers in pairs for bearing and race are:
HM 89449 and HM 89410 (available at Advance and other part stores, you need one of each)
HM 88542 and HM 88510 (available at Advance and other parts stores, you need one of each)
KLM503349 and KLM503311 (you need two of each) made in Poland. You can buy bearing locally but race KLM503311 is available from China and Europe only. Timken makes them specifically for this application, they are not available through stores or distributors. I was looking for them for 3 days, you can save that time. Mercedes probably did this purposely so you have to spend $2,500 on entire assembly.
When we opened the case it was apparent that these two bearings were damaged. Mercedes has to realize that they should not be using cheap Polish materials and parts in luxury cars. They are failing between 50-70K miles. My car has 75K, I found comments about them failing at 50K.
You don't need any seals or anything else. I was watching mechanic taking differential out in two hours. Total job with replacing bearings should not take more than 5-6 hours. If they tell you anything else, it is A dealer's BS. I trust my eyes more than any of these certified, turbo stealership mechanics and their "books".
I hope this helps.
#11
After opening differential I found first hand what is needed and available.
Differential has total of 4 bearings with coresponding races. Each bearing and race have different part numbers, all of them are made by Timken, two in the US, two (they are identical) are made in Poland.
Part numbers in pairs for bearing and race are:
HM 89449 and HM 89410 (available at Advance and other part stores, you need one of each)
HM 88542 and HM 88510 (available at Advance and other parts stores, you need one of each)
KLM503349 and KLM503311 (you need two of each) made in Poland. You can buy bearing locally but race KLM503311 is available from China and Europe only. Timken makes them specifically for this application, they are not available through stores or distributors. I was looking for them for 3 days, you can save that time. Mercedes probably did this purposely so you have to spend $2,500 on entire assembly.
When we opened the case it was apparent that these two bearings were damaged. Mercedes has to realize that they should not be using cheap Polish materials and parts in luxury cars. They are failing between 50-70K miles. My car has 75K, I found comments about them failing at 50K.
You don't need any seals or anything else. I was watching mechanic taking differential out in two hours. Total job with replacing bearings should not take more than 5-6 hours. If they tell you anything else, it is A dealer's BS. I trust my eyes more than any of these certified, turbo stealership mechanics and their "books".
I hope this helps.
Differential has total of 4 bearings with coresponding races. Each bearing and race have different part numbers, all of them are made by Timken, two in the US, two (they are identical) are made in Poland.
Part numbers in pairs for bearing and race are:
HM 89449 and HM 89410 (available at Advance and other part stores, you need one of each)
HM 88542 and HM 88510 (available at Advance and other parts stores, you need one of each)
KLM503349 and KLM503311 (you need two of each) made in Poland. You can buy bearing locally but race KLM503311 is available from China and Europe only. Timken makes them specifically for this application, they are not available through stores or distributors. I was looking for them for 3 days, you can save that time. Mercedes probably did this purposely so you have to spend $2,500 on entire assembly.
When we opened the case it was apparent that these two bearings were damaged. Mercedes has to realize that they should not be using cheap Polish materials and parts in luxury cars. They are failing between 50-70K miles. My car has 75K, I found comments about them failing at 50K.
You don't need any seals or anything else. I was watching mechanic taking differential out in two hours. Total job with replacing bearings should not take more than 5-6 hours. If they tell you anything else, it is A dealer's BS. I trust my eyes more than any of these certified, turbo stealership mechanics and their "books".
I hope this helps.
#12
[QUOTE=lasicm;5493792]Timken 503311 is now available in the US here
http://www.ebay.com/itm/181062162087...witem=&vxp=mtr
This is the correct link
http://www.ebay.com/itm/181062162087...witem=&vxp=mtr
http://www.ebay.com/itm/181062162087...witem=&vxp=mtr
This is the correct link
http://www.ebay.com/itm/181062162087...witem=&vxp=mtr
#13
New links for LM 503311 bearings
#14
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2006 Mercedes-Benz ML500
Hopefully I won't need it, but if that happened to me, where (what kind of shop?) would I take take my car to have it replaced with the parts already bought?
#15
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W164
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Unfortunately there is a dishonest person on this forum who sells bearings to unsuspecting, trusting people on eBay. I must warn you about this person and provide everyone here with proof to back my words!
So here it goes:
His handle on MBWorld.org is lasicm. On eBay his user name is also lasicm. He was recently banned from Benzworld.org where his handle was mostar1. He was banned for harassing members, including filling my thread with garbage rants about how his USA Timken bearings are real and mine are fake. Since he was banned from Benzworld, he has taken the fight here, where he continues badmouthing me. He has gone as far as stealing the procedure I wrote and published on Benzworld almost a year ago and posted it here telling everyone that he wrote it and that I’m the copy-cat. He has copied it with spelling errors and all!! [BTW Dan, that’s not how you spell Methyl Hydite!] His real name is Dan and he is from Houston, TX.
He found a bearings supplier in China who manufactures these hard to find bearings for him and sells them on eBay as the real thing. He used to tell everyone that the bearings he sells are Made in USA (see a photo below of his old eBay listing). Now he tells everyone that they are made in France, which is a lie. TheseKLM503349/11 bearings are only made in Poland.
You should never mix and match bearing sets! Furthermore, from the information I have, the KLM503349 cannot be bought separate from the KLM503311. So where this guy is getting them separately, I don't know. China? For sure! There is a good chance that these bearings will fail due to the fact that they are assembled from odds and ends that came from different factories. Stay safe and buy the OEM ones.
His KLM503311 race (or bearing cup) looks to be the only authentic Polish made Timken, but the bearing cone he is putting in with it is 150% a replica.
Please see the picture below which explains how to tell areal bearing from a fake.
I sell the genuine Timken Poland Bearings in a set I put together along with Genuine USA Made NTN bearings. You can find this set here: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/2006-12-Mercedes-ML-W164-Front-Differential-Bearings-Hard-To-Find-Not-Sold-in-US-/121224489131?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories &hash=item1c398ae8ab
The genuine bearings are guaranteed to last at least as long as the original ones (so approx 100,000miles) if assembled correctly, meanwhile Dan is charging $320 for a set of bearings made in China! Which one wouldyou put in your vehicle? I think we allknow the answer.
If you are looking for instructions, specs, torque specs,etc., I've written and posted a procedure on how to rebuild a differential onthe W164, X164, and W251. You can find the procedure here: https://mbworld.org/forums/m-class-w164/522199-2006-2012-w164-successful-front-differential-rebuild.html#post5859305
In that same thread, I’ve posted an excerpt from a post published by a retired bearing failure analysis engineer on another forum. There you can find more evidence on how to tell a real bearing from a fake and that Lacism’s bearings are fake.
Due to forum rules, I’m not allowed to post links to other forums, but if you need more info, just look up my threads on here as well as Benzworld.
As for lasicm’s claim that he wrote the procedure - again, just go to the other forum and look at the date of when it was first published by me – February 22, 2013. I have thesame handle there, if anyone is interested.
Cheers to everyone and I hope that my rebuild procedure helps someone out there as well as this article helps steer someone clear of Lasicm’s bearings, because they will fail.
I am a licensed and certified mechanic. I wrote and published the procedure after rebuilding my own ML500’s front diff with almost the same cheap bearings I sell on eBay. It’s been good now for almost a year, so if anyone has any questions, feel free to PM me and I will be glad to help.
Good luck to all and god bless.
To view the pictures, please check my other thread here: https://mbworld.org/forums/m-class-w164/522199-2006-2012-w164-successful-front-differential-rebuild.html
Unfortunately there is a dishonest person on this forum who sells bearings to unsuspecting, trusting people on eBay. I must warn you about this person and provide everyone here with proof to back my words!
So here it goes:
His handle on MBWorld.org is lasicm. On eBay his user name is also lasicm. He was recently banned from Benzworld.org where his handle was mostar1. He was banned for harassing members, including filling my thread with garbage rants about how his USA Timken bearings are real and mine are fake. Since he was banned from Benzworld, he has taken the fight here, where he continues badmouthing me. He has gone as far as stealing the procedure I wrote and published on Benzworld almost a year ago and posted it here telling everyone that he wrote it and that I’m the copy-cat. He has copied it with spelling errors and all!! [BTW Dan, that’s not how you spell Methyl Hydite!] His real name is Dan and he is from Houston, TX.
He found a bearings supplier in China who manufactures these hard to find bearings for him and sells them on eBay as the real thing. He used to tell everyone that the bearings he sells are Made in USA (see a photo below of his old eBay listing). Now he tells everyone that they are made in France, which is a lie. TheseKLM503349/11 bearings are only made in Poland.
You should never mix and match bearing sets! Furthermore, from the information I have, the KLM503349 cannot be bought separate from the KLM503311. So where this guy is getting them separately, I don't know. China? For sure! There is a good chance that these bearings will fail due to the fact that they are assembled from odds and ends that came from different factories. Stay safe and buy the OEM ones.
His KLM503311 race (or bearing cup) looks to be the only authentic Polish made Timken, but the bearing cone he is putting in with it is 150% a replica.
Please see the picture below which explains how to tell areal bearing from a fake.
I sell the genuine Timken Poland Bearings in a set I put together along with Genuine USA Made NTN bearings. You can find this set here: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/2006-12-Mercedes-ML-W164-Front-Differential-Bearings-Hard-To-Find-Not-Sold-in-US-/121224489131?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories &hash=item1c398ae8ab
The genuine bearings are guaranteed to last at least as long as the original ones (so approx 100,000miles) if assembled correctly, meanwhile Dan is charging $320 for a set of bearings made in China! Which one wouldyou put in your vehicle? I think we allknow the answer.
If you are looking for instructions, specs, torque specs,etc., I've written and posted a procedure on how to rebuild a differential onthe W164, X164, and W251. You can find the procedure here: https://mbworld.org/forums/m-class-w164/522199-2006-2012-w164-successful-front-differential-rebuild.html#post5859305
In that same thread, I’ve posted an excerpt from a post published by a retired bearing failure analysis engineer on another forum. There you can find more evidence on how to tell a real bearing from a fake and that Lacism’s bearings are fake.
Due to forum rules, I’m not allowed to post links to other forums, but if you need more info, just look up my threads on here as well as Benzworld.
As for lasicm’s claim that he wrote the procedure - again, just go to the other forum and look at the date of when it was first published by me – February 22, 2013. I have thesame handle there, if anyone is interested.
Cheers to everyone and I hope that my rebuild procedure helps someone out there as well as this article helps steer someone clear of Lasicm’s bearings, because they will fail.
I am a licensed and certified mechanic. I wrote and published the procedure after rebuilding my own ML500’s front diff with almost the same cheap bearings I sell on eBay. It’s been good now for almost a year, so if anyone has any questions, feel free to PM me and I will be glad to help.
Good luck to all and god bless.
To view the pictures, please check my other thread here: https://mbworld.org/forums/m-class-w164/522199-2006-2012-w164-successful-front-differential-rebuild.html
Last edited by NewMLGuy; 01-19-2014 at 12:14 AM.
#16
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W164
![Exclamation](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/icons/icon4.gif)
Hey Dan! What's the matter? Did I tell everyone your fake USA bearings that are made in China secret and that made you mad? Aaahh, don't cry, Dan. It's ok, you now have the genuine half-a-bearing from Poland along with a fake French-Chinese bearing! It's ok, you can just sell them to everyone!
Oh, No! Wait a minute! 2 posts above this one you wrote: "[...] race KLM503311 is available from China and Europe only. [...] Mercedes has to realize that they should not be using cheap Polish materials and parts in luxury cars." But now you are selling them? How can this be?
And whatever happened to your ever so patriotic statements on your eBay listing where you wrote: "BUYERS BE AWARE!! THE REASON YOU ARE LOOKING AT THIS LISTING IS THAT THE ORIGINAL POLISH BEARING WAS OF HORRIBLE QUALITY AND FAILING. DON'T MAKE SAME MISTAKE TWICE!" and "LM503349 and LM503311 are made in U.S, but not sold out of Mercedes applications" ??? BTW, you can all see a picture of this eBay listing here:https://mbworld.org/forums/m-class-w...l-rebuild.html
Or is it because they never were made in the USA and that you have been scamming everyone all this time, selling them counterfeit bearings from China?
Oh, and just so you know - I did not remove any of your posts on Benzworld. That was done by the forum moderator who was also the one who BANNED you! Good on him for doing so because you annoyed absolutely everyone on that site!
Oh, No! Wait a minute! 2 posts above this one you wrote: "[...] race KLM503311 is available from China and Europe only. [...] Mercedes has to realize that they should not be using cheap Polish materials and parts in luxury cars." But now you are selling them? How can this be?
And whatever happened to your ever so patriotic statements on your eBay listing where you wrote: "BUYERS BE AWARE!! THE REASON YOU ARE LOOKING AT THIS LISTING IS THAT THE ORIGINAL POLISH BEARING WAS OF HORRIBLE QUALITY AND FAILING. DON'T MAKE SAME MISTAKE TWICE!" and "LM503349 and LM503311 are made in U.S, but not sold out of Mercedes applications" ??? BTW, you can all see a picture of this eBay listing here:https://mbworld.org/forums/m-class-w...l-rebuild.html
Or is it because they never were made in the USA and that you have been scamming everyone all this time, selling them counterfeit bearings from China?
Oh, and just so you know - I did not remove any of your posts on Benzworld. That was done by the forum moderator who was also the one who BANNED you! Good on him for doing so because you annoyed absolutely everyone on that site!
Last edited by NewMLGuy; 01-04-2014 at 07:11 PM. Reason: typo
#17
Mr Authority
You, as well as your reasons to join Mercedes forums are pathetic. You came here solemnly and for only one reason - to sell bearings!! Also you should tell the people here that you are a vacuum cleaner repairmen called Equipment Authority on eBay and in real life and that you have no knowledge about differentials(unless they are putting them in vacuum cleaners now)
Tell them also that you bought your first set of bearings from me and that I sold you genuine bearings as I always do. Just look at my feedbacks on eBay vs your 1 feedback. I sell 20% of bearings on eBay, the rest is referrals and repeated customers.
FYI, I am an engineer and I will post photos of old bearings and real reasons for this failure, which is a foreign material contamination, not poor lubrication. So people, don't waste your time with overfilling your differentials, as this quasi specialist would advise you.
Also, mr Authority just for our benefit, 503349 cone is made by Timken plants in the US, France(used for aircrafts-probably the best quality)Canada and few more. It might not be accessible to a vacuum cleaner salesman, but as before, if you need them you can find them on my eBay page.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/MERCEDES-W164-ML-R-W251-FRONT-DIFFERENTIAL-4-BEARINGS-COMPLETE-KIT-WITH-503311-/181149228503?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2a2d55ddd7&vxp=mtrCheers
You, as well as your reasons to join Mercedes forums are pathetic. You came here solemnly and for only one reason - to sell bearings!! Also you should tell the people here that you are a vacuum cleaner repairmen called Equipment Authority on eBay and in real life and that you have no knowledge about differentials(unless they are putting them in vacuum cleaners now)
Tell them also that you bought your first set of bearings from me and that I sold you genuine bearings as I always do. Just look at my feedbacks on eBay vs your 1 feedback. I sell 20% of bearings on eBay, the rest is referrals and repeated customers.
FYI, I am an engineer and I will post photos of old bearings and real reasons for this failure, which is a foreign material contamination, not poor lubrication. So people, don't waste your time with overfilling your differentials, as this quasi specialist would advise you.
Also, mr Authority just for our benefit, 503349 cone is made by Timken plants in the US, France(used for aircrafts-probably the best quality)Canada and few more. It might not be accessible to a vacuum cleaner salesman, but as before, if you need them you can find them on my eBay page.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/MERCEDES-W164-ML-R-W251-FRONT-DIFFERENTIAL-4-BEARINGS-COMPLETE-KIT-WITH-503311-/181149228503?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2a2d55ddd7&vxp=mtrCheers
Last edited by lasicm; 01-06-2014 at 10:57 AM. Reason: Typo
#18
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W164
![Exclamation](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/icons/icon4.gif)
Mr Authority
You, as well as your reasons to join Mercedes forums are pathetic. You came here solemnly and for only one reason - to sell bearings!! Also you should tell the people here that you are a vacuum cleaner repairmen called Equipment Authority on eBay and in real life and that you have no knowledge about differentials(unless they are putting them in vacuum cleaners now)
Tell them also that you bought your first set of bearings from me and that I sold you genuine bearings as I always do. Just look at my feedbacks on eBay vs your 1 feedback. I sell 20% of bearings on eBay, the rest is referrals and repeated customers.
FYI, I am an engineer and I will post photos of old bearings and real reasons for this failure, which is a foreign material contamination, not poor lubrication. So people, don't waste your time with overfilling your differentials, as this quasi specialist would advise you.
Also, mr Authority just for our benefit, 503349 cone is made by Timken plants in the US, France(used for aircrafts-probably the best quality)Canada and few more. It might not be accessible to a vacuum cleaner salesman.
Cheers
You, as well as your reasons to join Mercedes forums are pathetic. You came here solemnly and for only one reason - to sell bearings!! Also you should tell the people here that you are a vacuum cleaner repairmen called Equipment Authority on eBay and in real life and that you have no knowledge about differentials(unless they are putting them in vacuum cleaners now)
Tell them also that you bought your first set of bearings from me and that I sold you genuine bearings as I always do. Just look at my feedbacks on eBay vs your 1 feedback. I sell 20% of bearings on eBay, the rest is referrals and repeated customers.
FYI, I am an engineer and I will post photos of old bearings and real reasons for this failure, which is a foreign material contamination, not poor lubrication. So people, don't waste your time with overfilling your differentials, as this quasi specialist would advise you.
Also, mr Authority just for our benefit, 503349 cone is made by Timken plants in the US, France(used for aircrafts-probably the best quality)Canada and few more. It might not be accessible to a vacuum cleaner salesman.
Cheers
My reasons are pathetic? I rebuilt a differential and transfer case on the W164, wrote the procedure and shared it with everyone!!! You're the pathetic one with pathetic reasons: you have done absolutely nothing other than flood every single possible thread with links to your fake bearings starting with the Jeep forum. There, your handle is Dan1962, then you went on to attack me on Benzworld as mostar1 and got banned for doing so. And now you're here! Really!!?? No, Really!? I'm the pathetic one? Give it a rest, you dummy!
In real life (as you put it) I am a retired licensed mechanic with a Canadian Interprovincial Class S License and over 20 years experience fixing automobiles. I also graduated with honours from a Mechanical Engineering Faculty here in Canada some 20 years ago.
Yes, I work for a company called Equipment Authority Inc., which by the way copyrighted that service procedure I wrote. The one you stole and posted here. Be careful or you'll get sued for big $$$ - check with your lawyer, if you don't believe me
![EEK!](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/eek.gif)
And yes we do sell and service industrial floor maintenance equipment. I would hardly call them vacuum cleaners. They are more like Zambonis and Airport Runway sweepers worth $100k plus each. This is why we have such great access to bearings, and the original ones too, not fake knock-offs that you try to pass off as the real thing. Thanks for the free plug by the way!
![Smilie](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Foreing matter contamination? Where did this foreign matter come from? Oh, right, the bearings themselves! And you call yourself an Engineer!?
And yes I did buy my first set of bearings from you on eBay (which were fake by the way - as we all now know these 3311/3349 bearings were never made in the USA). I never used your bearings though, because I used the ones that our supplier got me.
As for your LM 503349 French bearing - FAKE! Why don't you want to admit it? I sell Chinese bearings on eBay as well as the real ones. There's nothing wrong with that. Just stop lying to people and telling everyone that they are authentic. And even if your French LM503349 is 'Real', you're matching it with a race (503311) made in a completely different plant, which is a BIG NO-NO. Yet the boxes you have picures of say that they're an integral set - you're contradicting yourself there. I think you need to get your own story straight first, Dan, because you keep digging yourself deeper and deeper with every post. First you swore up and down in your attacks on me that I sell fake Chinese bearings and you sell genuine USA made ones. Now you don't sell the USA made ones any more? Why? Could it be because you were caught red handed and lying? I think so! No, I know so!
And just so you know, Timken has 19 offices in China, 6 Manufacturing plants, 3 Shipping Centres, and 1 Tech/Engineering Centre. Click Here and look for yourself. So I would hardly call a Timken bearing made in China a fake.
Now if you don't mind, I'd like to put an end to this childish bickering just because I have much better things to do with my time than write this. So please stop.
Lets do this - you sell your bearings on eBay or wherever else you like, and I'll sell mine. Deal? Let's let people decide for themselves what they want:
They can buy your bearings here.
And they can buy my Real Polish bearings here.
Thanks.
Last edited by NewMLGuy; 01-19-2014 at 12:17 AM.
#19
Mr Sweeper.
Sorry if I insulted you by telling the truth.
So, Timken France is fake?
FYI
"The future of the Duston facility was called into question six months ago when Timken announced that all of the product testing and development activities being performed at Duston were being pulled out and moved to a new facility in Colmar, France. Earlier this year, Timken received the Invest In France Agency award for building the Colmar facility. The aging Duston factory, which primarily manufactures automotive bearings for the European market, came on line in 1942"
Sorry if I insulted you by telling the truth.
So, Timken France is fake?
FYI
"The future of the Duston facility was called into question six months ago when Timken announced that all of the product testing and development activities being performed at Duston were being pulled out and moved to a new facility in Colmar, France. Earlier this year, Timken received the Invest In France Agency award for building the Colmar facility. The aging Duston factory, which primarily manufactures automotive bearings for the European market, came on line in 1942"
#20
Also, foreign material for your knowledge would be anything coming from internal differential parts other than bearing itself, in this case fine metal debris coming from gears. Timken and other companies know about this issue and I started seeing white papers about developmet of cones with protective layer on rollers as early as 2008.
If you have any other technical questions you can PM me, no reason to bore forum members with Mechanics 101.
Also, I almost forgot. 503349 is made by many companies including Timken in many countries. You can buy it in any store and it will be much better quality than the Polish one!
If you have any other technical questions you can PM me, no reason to bore forum members with Mechanics 101.
Also, I almost forgot. 503349 is made by many companies including Timken in many countries. You can buy it in any store and it will be much better quality than the Polish one!
Last edited by lasicm; 01-06-2014 at 02:58 PM.
#22
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COUNTERFEIT BEARINGS SEIZED AT TORONTO AIRPORT
Amen to that! I'm glad we're finally getting along ![thumbs](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
Hey guys. Sorry to be 'beating a dead horse'
on this. I just got this little bit of news and wanted to share with everyone. This article was just brought to my attention:
COUNTERFEIT BEARINGS SEIZED AT TORONTO AIRPORT
as well as this little bit of new here:
http://www.stopfakebearings.com
So as a result, I've pulled my eBay listings containing the cheaper aftermarket bearings. And I will be looking to source these from another manufactuer. I'll let everyone know if and when they become available.
Just a friendly 'heads up'.
![thumbs](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
Hey guys. Sorry to be 'beating a dead horse'
![BeatDeatHorse](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/beatdeadhorse5.gif)
COUNTERFEIT BEARINGS SEIZED AT TORONTO AIRPORT
as well as this little bit of new here:
http://www.stopfakebearings.com
So as a result, I've pulled my eBay listings containing the cheaper aftermarket bearings. And I will be looking to source these from another manufactuer. I'll let everyone know if and when they become available.
Just a friendly 'heads up'.
#23
Hey Dan! What's the matter? Did I tell everyone your fake USA bearings that are made in China secret and that made you mad? Aaahh, don't cry, Dan. It's ok, you now have the genuine half-a-bearing from Poland along with a fake French-Chinese bearing! It's ok, you can just sell them to everyone!
Oh, No! Wait a minute! 2 posts above this one you wrote: "[...] race KLM503311 is available from China and Europe only. [...] Mercedes has to realize that they should not be using cheap Polish materials and parts in luxury cars." But now you are selling them? How can this be?
And whatever happened to your ever so patriotic statements on your eBay listing where you wrote: "BUYERS BE AWARE!! THE REASON YOU ARE LOOKING AT THIS LISTING IS THAT THE ORIGINAL POLISH BEARING WAS OF HORRIBLE QUALITY AND FAILING. DON'T MAKE SAME MISTAKE TWICE!" and "LM503349 and LM503311 are made in U.S, but not sold out of Mercedes applications" ??? BTW, you can all see a picture of this eBay listing here:https://mbworld.org/forums/m-class-w...l-rebuild.html
Or is it because they never were made in the USA and that you have been scamming everyone all this time, selling them counterfeit bearings from China?
Oh, and just so you know - I did not remove any of your posts on Benzworld. That was done by the forum moderator who was also the one who BANNED you! Good on him for doing so because you annoyed absolutely everyone on that site!
Oh, No! Wait a minute! 2 posts above this one you wrote: "[...] race KLM503311 is available from China and Europe only. [...] Mercedes has to realize that they should not be using cheap Polish materials and parts in luxury cars." But now you are selling them? How can this be?
And whatever happened to your ever so patriotic statements on your eBay listing where you wrote: "BUYERS BE AWARE!! THE REASON YOU ARE LOOKING AT THIS LISTING IS THAT THE ORIGINAL POLISH BEARING WAS OF HORRIBLE QUALITY AND FAILING. DON'T MAKE SAME MISTAKE TWICE!" and "LM503349 and LM503311 are made in U.S, but not sold out of Mercedes applications" ??? BTW, you can all see a picture of this eBay listing here:https://mbworld.org/forums/m-class-w...l-rebuild.html
Or is it because they never were made in the USA and that you have been scamming everyone all this time, selling them counterfeit bearings from China?
Oh, and just so you know - I did not remove any of your posts on Benzworld. That was done by the forum moderator who was also the one who BANNED you! Good on him for doing so because you annoyed absolutely everyone on that site!
Also, all people concerned about mixing race and cone from different plants can rest assured that there is nothing wrong with that - confirmed with engineers. Any store or manufacturer will sell you race and cone separately. If that was wrong, they wouldn’t be doing it. If they are manufactured according to specs, and all Timken pieces are, you can combine them as much as you want!
Earlier I stated that the reason for failure is not poor lubrication and that you should not follow advice to overfill your differential!!!
According to Timken scientists and engineers, “progressive levels of bearing damage caused by inadequate lubrication are:
Level 1 – Discoloration
• Metal-to-metal contact results in excessive bearing temperature.
• High temperatures result in discoloration of the races and the roller.
• In mild cases, the discoloration is from the lubricant staining the bearing surfaces. In severe cases, the metal itself is discolored from high heat.
Level 2 – Scoring and Peeling
• Insufficient or complete lack of lubricant.
• Selecting the wrong lubricant or lubrication type.
• Temperature changes.
• Sudden changes in running conditions.
Level 3 – Excessive Roller End Heat
• Inadequate lube film results in localized high temperatures and scoring at the large ends of the rollers.
Level 4 – Total Bearing Lockup
• High localized heat produces metal flow in bearings, altering the original bearing geometry and the bearing’s material.
• This results in skewing of the rollers, destruction of the cage, metal transfer and complete seizure of the bearing.”
SYMPTOMS LISTED ABOVE WERE NOT OBSERVED ON ANY BEARINGS PULLED OUT OF FAILED DIFFERENTIALS!!
As I mentioned earlier, races 503311 usually don’t have any damage; all damage was on 503349 cone rollers! After consulting quite few specialists, opinion was that this damage was combination of primary and secondary cause/damage which are internal debris contamination - wear from gears and high loads resulted in fatigue spalling. When you have bearing with bearing material fatigue at localized areas of sub-surface first advice is to stay away from material used for that bearing because bearing steel cleanness is questionable. Hope that this answers question why I replaced the original Polish cone with American or French one.
Last edited by lasicm; 01-12-2014 at 08:04 PM. Reason: More info
#24
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I'll agree that what you are saying about the damage to rollers is consistent with what I have see as well. I'll also add that what I have seen includes the race having damage as well. And I will agree with the fact that failed bearings do appear to have suffered from damage due to foreign material.
So the moral of the story here is: change the diff oil more frequently.
I do not agree with what you are doing with the bearings and here's why:
1. LM503349 are made in the USA, and likely in Canada, France, etc... However, they are made to be paired with a LM503310, which is a different size than a KLM503311. So you cannot put an LM503349 with a KLM503311 - they are not the same size.
2. KLM503349 / KLM503311 are made in Poland and sold as a set. You cannot buy them separately. I have asked this from our supplier (one of the largest bearing and power transmission product distributors in North America) just beacuse a lot of people have been asking me for the race only. I was told they are a set. So where are you getting the KLM503311 race separately?
3. The pictures you posted show the box having "ISO Class" printed on it. These are not ISO Class bearings.
4. For some reason in the picture with the carton of bearings you are showing one box of the KLM503349/11 set, but you are not selling them. So it's not consistent with what you are telling us.
Last edited by NewMLGuy; 01-13-2014 at 09:31 AM.
#25
Out Of Control!!
So the deeper question is;
Is there a design flaw in the W/X164 (Jeep GC, Durango, etc) front differential?
Or,
Is there and assembly problem (Either due to improper setup or excessive contamination)
Or,
Did MB get hit with a batch of counterfeit bearings that were either not clean enough (adding initial foreign material) or of insufficient surface hardening?
Or,
Is there a problem with the prescribed maintenance procedure for the fluid check and change of the front Diff?
Or ? ? ? ?
Inquiring minds (or owners of 100K+ mile W/X164's) want to know!
Is there a design flaw in the W/X164 (Jeep GC, Durango, etc) front differential?
Or,
Is there and assembly problem (Either due to improper setup or excessive contamination)
Or,
Did MB get hit with a batch of counterfeit bearings that were either not clean enough (adding initial foreign material) or of insufficient surface hardening?
Or,
Is there a problem with the prescribed maintenance procedure for the fluid check and change of the front Diff?
Or ? ? ? ?
Inquiring minds (or owners of 100K+ mile W/X164's) want to know!