shardul

iTrader: (1)

I have a VRP pulley on my 03 55.
Now when looking at the pulley at idle it looks like it is wobbling as to where the tensioner is also moving up and down by 1mm or 2mm.
This wobbing effect seems to go away at 2k rpms.
I have been told his is normal.
Can someone check their car and confirm this please.

jmf003

The VRP crankshaft pulley shouldn't wobble at all. If the crank pulley is wobbling it could cause serious engine damage. If it was my car, I wouldn't drive it at all until the pulley wobble was eliminated.

The tensioner shouldn't wobble either but it's a much less serious issue. The tensioners do wear out. Replacing them is a relatively quick, easy, and cheap repair by Benz standards.

shardul

iTrader: (1)

i think the tensioner is wobbling due to the pulley. i was told be the person who installed it that this is normal for all VRP pullies.

psk145

my renntech pulley wobbles slightly at idle, and I've been told its normal. Others will say its not normal. Mine has been like that for a few years now, and it still runs fine

Yacht Master

Here we go again, don't trust your lying eyes. Get a dial indicator and come back with lateral and radial run-out, and we can go from there.

shardul

iTrader: (1)

does the wobble cause the tensioner to move up and love by 1mm to 2mm.

shardul

iTrader: (1)

where can i get this equipment from? can you tell me the tolerances within which the movement should be.

psk145

dont know. I stopped worrying about it last year.

Yacht Master

Any good shop should have a Dial Indicator. To be sure of the tolerance consult the Mercedes WIS. To me any thing over 10 thousandths would require a closer look.

FYI, do a search, this topic has many posts, the install is crucial.

Vadim @ FD

That is not unusual. What you are seeing is a visual effect from bigger pulley. On some cars it more visible than others.

shardul

iTrader: (1)

Ok so I should not be worried about it. The movement is magnified due to the larger size of pulley.

Vadim @ FD

Yes.

Exotic-metal55

So, do these pulley`s have clutchs in them? Is that why they wobble at idle? I can not see how any wobble would be normal.. Nothing German wobbles.

Why is the wobble considerd normal or ok? I have seen two cars like this and the wobble is huge. No need for a dial indicator for this amount of wobble. I think a video would help a lot more..

I have had 3 pulleys on my car from 177 to 180 and never seen any wobble.

jangy

no clutches, but elastomer dampners. Also, the belt tensioner adds slack.

I've seen a legit wobble and also the low rev consistent one. The only pulley I have seen NOT wobble some was the EVOSport but it had no dampner.

Ali_E55

nice info guys

jpohl402

Not getting into too many specifics -
Recent issue, please don't ask for details

I have a friend that had a pulley that was either slightly bent from the manufacturer or most likely installed incorrectly (not tightened enough)...

...and it caused rubbing/wear to the front engine cover/crankshaft assembly. It burned through which caused all the oil to leak out. The pulley also cracked. Because it costs more time in labor to install just a crankshaft on lower half of motor, it was recommended to him to purchase a used engine. There is also the chance of rebuilding the crankshaft.
Don't recommend anyone else going through that, something to think about.

jangy

The pulley install is such a critical step. Best wishes to your friend. Ask him if he wants to join me in small claims court? LOL!!

Fast55

Always had a very slight wobble on my Kleemann pulley and it's based on a stock pulley with a larger outer ring pinned on (not welded). If there's an issue, it's going to come up very soon after install.

Lopes80

Slight wobble on my Kleemann pulley too..

Exotic-metal55

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rG-213o-e3Q

Here is video of the pulley wobbling. The video shows the wobble in the first few frames but seeing it in person, the wobble is far more pronounced.

I would not call this a slight wobble in the book of wobble definition. I think this pulley has been on for 8-10K already.

What do you think? Shoud it stay or should it go!?

RenntechE55

I have the same problem , what kind of pulley is that?

RenntechE55

same thing happen to me its way less expensive to just get a new engine thats what I did.

shardul

iTrader: (1)

your pulley on the new engine wobbles like the one in the video?

MRAMG1

Let me just add this, if the wobble is normal, why do the other pullies have none

I'm sorry but I have been modifing/racing for more years than some on this board have been alive, and I have NEVER seen a harmonic balancer wobble that has lasted very long. Take a look at ANY stock car BMW, MB, GMC, Ford, etc, etc, and guess what they do NOT wobble at all. ANY wobble, yes ANY wobble will cause harmonics on the crank and at RPM this can/could/will cause issues down the road. Sorry guys, its simple physics here, aka the engineer in me.

Think of it as an out of balance/bent rim spinning on an axle, aka crank. Just how long do you think a rim/tire that wobbles is going to last at speed

I am NOT pointing fingers or starting an issue, just stateing plain old facts/physics on the dynamic issues here on the crank/bearings.

Good luck to all

NOTE: PLEASE someone post up a video on their STOCK E55 harmonic balancer to show if this is normnal or not. As again I have NEVER seen a stock balancer wobble on ANY make of car.

Exotic-metal55

Renntech55, PM sent.

MRAMG1, I agree and one reason I brought this thread up after seeing a members car doing the same thing! The replies in this thread seem to lean towards "normal", ok" and optical issues.

I have had 1- 177mm and a 180mm on now and none of them wobble.

The engine I saw , seemed to be moving front to back with the wobble. Strange

Having a blown or major damaged AMG engine,is a burden that I would not want to see happen to anyone.. Bad balancing is a slow death.