VRP Pulley Question
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 13,394
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From: San Diego
2015 S212
Which version fo the pulley are we talking about here? Mine is the original set of VRP black and reds that were made. Since then, many variants have made it out. Is this a design concern or install?
The wobble that some see and call normal is VERY mild in manner as compared to anything improperly installed. With an improper install, alignment is not the main issue. The problem is that as power is added, the pulley moves taking the tension that was holding it on away. Very quickly, the bolt will back out and the pulley will follow. On the way, the belt typically shreds but by then the crankshaft has already been damaged.
I'm curious what the concern was and if it was VRP or FD
The wobble that some see and call normal is VERY mild in manner as compared to anything improperly installed. With an improper install, alignment is not the main issue. The problem is that as power is added, the pulley moves taking the tension that was holding it on away. Very quickly, the bolt will back out and the pulley will follow. On the way, the belt typically shreds but by then the crankshaft has already been damaged.
I'm curious what the concern was and if it was VRP or FD
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 13,394
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From: San Diego
2015 S212
Another note......My pulley appears to wobble at idle but seems to go balanced as soon as I apply gas. I assumed it was because at low speeds the belt tensioner plays a role whereas it doesn't have the same sideway pulling effect when the pulley picks up momentum. I assumed the "play" was in the dampner of the pulley. That is why non-dampened and low dampened pulleys do not do it at idle. Another test is to watch it with no belt on.
I can tape an unmodded E55 in the next few days and see what I get. Also, keep in mind that the pulley can be tested off of the car as well for defective balance.
Much of this came up a while back and the VRP pulleys were solid. I have no concerns with any part that VRUS was involved in...
I can tape an unmodded E55 in the next few days and see what I get. Also, keep in mind that the pulley can be tested off of the car as well for defective balance.
Much of this came up a while back and the VRP pulleys were solid. I have no concerns with any part that VRUS was involved in...
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Pinto
shardul.........is that pulley 4 bolt pattern? take off that pulley ASAP...before you damage your crankshaft main seal and all that wooble will eventually loosen the bolts cause total damage to your crankshaft end......that pulley is out of balance...
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 13,394
Likes: 6
From: San Diego
2015 S212
shardul.........is that pulley 4 bolt pattern? take off that pulley ASAP...before you damage your crankshaft main seal and all that wooble will eventually loosen the bolts cause total damage to your crankshaft end......that pulley is out of balance...
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From: S.E. FLA.
05 ML-500 , 03 CLK5.5 AMG has left the Garage
Harmonic balancer movement / wobble
If It moves or wobbles , replace it PERIOD!!! 
That type of vibration & Movement will raise h3ll on the other driven accessories. If that were a V-belt set up with that much wobble . It will throw the V-belt off. I can tell you this, If it was a pulley I installed and I could see the wobble , I would take back off. I now always check run out , on my centers . I have even turned back in New MB parts . Sometimes they are not right either. I do not by off on the elastomer needs to settle in . You May want to look at the Renntech Fluid Damper set up. It is the nicest one I've seen for a MB. Cheers
___PTEngineering
That type of vibration & Movement will raise h3ll on the other driven accessories. If that were a V-belt set up with that much wobble . It will throw the V-belt off. I can tell you this, If it was a pulley I installed and I could see the wobble , I would take back off. I now always check run out , on my centers . I have even turned back in New MB parts . Sometimes they are not right either. I do not by off on the elastomer needs to settle in . You May want to look at the Renntech Fluid Damper set up. It is the nicest one I've seen for a MB. Cheers ___PTEngineering
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From: Philadelphia, PA
2008 A8L, 2002 996TT X50, 2009 X5
+1 to what PTE is saying. Any wobble is bad, but the visual characteristics of the pulley can also be deceiving... you can at times have an optical illusion that looks like wobble. Instead of eyeballing it, measure the run-out (or have it measured by a qualified shop). If it's out of spec, you really need to get a different CP.... so it'd be a good time to check with your vendor about a replacement, if they have any warranty or replacement policies.
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From: Kuwait
CLS55 2006, CLS 63S 2015
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From: Philadelphia, PA
2008 A8L, 2002 996TT X50, 2009 X5
If you're observing wobble and are concerned about it, have your tech measure the crank-pulley's runout to see it's within allowable tolerances per MB's spec. If it is, that's good news - if it isn't, contact your hardware vendor and discuss what options exist to remedy the situation (this goes for anyone with wobble, not obsidian specifically).
If you're not concerned about it, it's even easier... just leave well enough alone and hope for the best.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: San Diego
2015 S212
Mine wobbles just like in the pics. i was told it was an optical illusion, but my eyes aren't that bad. I have 25k miles on the car with the pulley. Is there any definitive testing I can get done to show the defect and any damage to my seals? Tough times require Classy Action.
I am taking mine into service to do a side by side comparison with an OEM E55k and one with a renntech pulley. That is the one I will try to video.
I am taking mine into service to do a side by side comparison with an OEM E55k and one with a renntech pulley. That is the one I will try to video.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 13,394
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From: San Diego
2015 S212
Mine is different than the version shown earlier. Mine is the first series that was made in aussie (I think).
Where is the belt tensioner position at with respect to everyone? I know my initial belt was so long that there was little tension../.
Pics:
Where is the belt tensioner position at with respect to everyone? I know my initial belt was so long that there was little tension../.
Pics:
Thread Starter
Former Vendor of MBWorld
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From: Houston
2003 W211 E55, 2003 W220 S600
mine does not look like yours. it looks like the one in post number 30. will take a pic of my tensioner so you can compare its position
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 13,394
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From: San Diego
2015 S212
Mine was one of the first style they had. There was only one run ever made. Half red half black. It was actually developed under the enthusiast's fellowship and the leading guys were in Australia at the time. FINNY!!! Anyhow, they were expensive and the margin was small but I was just buying in on VRP and got it. This is the same manufacturer that another tuner allegedly attempted to source the pulleys from, ruining that relationship.
I do not have experience with the one you have.
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From: Philadelphia, PA
2008 A8L, 2002 996TT X50, 2009 X5
Mine was one of the first style they had. There was only one run ever made. Half red half black. It was actually developed under the enthusiast's fellowship and the leading guys were in Australia at the time. FINNY!!! Anyhow, they were expensive and the margin was small but I was just buying in on VRP and got it. This is the same manufacturer that another tuner allegedly attempted to source the pulleys from, ruining that relationship.
I do not have experience with the one you have.
I do not have experience with the one you have.
The side-by-side-by-side video would be interesting - I hope you can arrange it. What would be even more telling, however, is the objective data - if possible, have the service dept read the runout measurements of all 3 pullies, and if all (or any) are within spec.
Thread Starter
Former Vendor of MBWorld
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From: Houston
2003 W211 E55, 2003 W220 S600
