parvo99

My 04 sl55 is at the dealership getting some warranty work done, one of which is fixing the supercharger squeek. They claimed that half way into taking apart the supercharger, they needed a special tool to complete the job that they didn't have and they needed to order the tool, which will arrive Friday. The dealership has been good so far, but it seems weird that they wouldn't have a tool needed to work on the supercharger. Any truth to this, or is it a cover for some mistake they made???

CHP_H8_ME

Mine here at Rusnak Mercedes in Pasadena told me it was an easy fix...(I was having a bunch of warranty work done, and on a test drive with the forman, I asked what that squeek was) but i chose to leave it alone...I kinda like the Idea of knowing if its working or not...

cal1

Just to clarify, it sounds like a supercharger clutch replacement. The chirp is the classic sign of a worn or wearing out SC clutch. If it is an SC clutch replacement, there are no special tools needed.

Here is a very good DIY https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...h-install.html

The list of tools needed (from the link):
Tools needed
1. Torch
2. strap wrench
3. 15/16 socket and breaker bar
4. bench vise
5. 26mm socket (i think thats the size)
6. rubber mallet
7. keep old bearing you will need it to install the new on.

There is locktite on the center bolt and I have heard it can be a ***** to remove. Heating the bolt with a torch is the ticket.

parvo99

Hmm....I have a feeling they messed up something in my car. I don't really care, as long as it is fixed, but it would be nice to know what happened. I'm gonna call them out on the "special tool" excuse, and see if they come clean.

JonMBZ

Here is a list of special tools used in the replacement. I am sure there are other ways to not use them, but I would imagine the dealer would have to follow MBUSA guidelines in the repair. I am not a mechanic though, so I do not know what they are used for.

shardul

iTrader: (1)

remove the radiator shroud and use a impact wrench at 200psi and the bolt will undo itself. We tried the torch and strap wrench didnot work.

valgehiir

heating the bolt with a torch might help, but didn't help us, and we used nice long wrench. removing radiator cover and impact wrench did it, just like previous poster said.
Merc has put considerable effort into making it as difficult as possible to get that 1 bolt off.

and imagine my happiness to find out the noise was coming NOT from the bearing that's attached to SC but from tension pulleys bearing. Thanks, Mercedes engineers, for making me almost lose my mind! Now I need to find out if they sell tensioner alone or I need to buy a pile of useless metal in order to replace a simple bearing!

B R

If the bearing can be replaced, just get the specs & call McMaster Carr, they probably have it.

grane

There are two belts I believe on the 55k engine. Each has it's own cheap plastic tensioner. Replace those at 5 years or 40k miles. Keep the old belts and tensors in the trunk. Spin the other pulleys to see if they make a noise. If so replace them. A little play is ok.

Hope this helps.

valgehiir

thank you B R!
I will try to find the correct bearing that sits inside the tensioner pulley.
Strangely the outer wall of stainless steel bearing has eaten away the inside walls of the aluminium pulley, and bearing is pretty much sitting loose inside the pulley, that is where the rattling noise was coming from.. the bearing itself is shot as well, of course. At this point the aluminium pulley is ruined I'm sure ( bearing is totally free to move inside the pulley, instead of snug fit) so replacing the pulley or the whole pulley arm must be done

valgehiir

thanks, grane!
the tensioner pulley is so loose it feels it might fall off at any moment. it isn't just bearing, aluminium pulley is damaged by now. I must replace it.
Still, this is first 'major' repair other than reg maintenance and car has 120k km on it (80k miles) other than central locking pump this is the only issue I've had with this car. Not bad considering what 7 series BMW guys go throught!

deliman

My SL55 went through that Dual Pully at about 50K miles. The Inner Bearing fried. When you order the part you get both Pulleys and bearings. The Aluminum and the Inner Plastic with the "Kit" they sell. As I recall its around $ 300.00. Really easy DIY project once you figure out where the Belt Tension "Bolt" is for the long belt. Mine had been making that bearing noise since I bought the car at 22K miles. It was so nice once it was fixed. Maybe a 20 minute project.