harmonic balancers recall in US... whatever that is

[blassberg]

alt.autos.mercedes reports

Just got a letter in the mail today announcing that Mercedes admitted
that the harmonic balancers in 1998-2001 cars were flawed.

They offered to replace the flawed devices at no cost under the terms
of the recall.

There was a reimbursement form attached -- so if you had a failure,
and had it fixed, you could submit the repair claim to Mercedes.


If you're in this group of owners ---

the recall campaign is 2005-020003
toll free information is -800-FOR-MERCEDES (1-800-367-6372)

 

[The Editor]

I THINK the harmonic balancers are summink to do with the camshafts (to make them quiet)... But I'm not sure. In fact I'm never really sure of anything !!

 

[996jimbo]

Snot the bit that goes around the back of your neck so's the harmonica's near your mouth if you're playing a guitar is it?

 

[pascal]

I have heard of some of these engine balancers (twin counterbalancer shafts)(I presume that is what you mean) failing, on some US sites. That was over a year ago. These balancers make up for the less than pefect angle/configuration of the VEE engines

I do not think it was too widespread. It affects the M112 v6 engines. The M113 V8 does not have a balancer.

 

[The Editor]

I seem to remember they rotate in opposite directions so as to counter the inertia induced - thus 'counter balancer shafts' - had them on an old Bitsumishi many years ago.

Come to think of it they might even be a Japanese invention (or something they stole and made half the size and more efficient)

 

[996jimbo]

I think that 'counter balancing' is not the same as 'contra rotating', both or either of which you may want from a balancer shaft. Counter balancing would smooth the engine (counter balances the heavy bit of the crank which is trying to counter balance the piston going up & down), contra rotating then cancels out the inertia of the rotating crank which affects steering (in a for/aft engine). Not sure if it has to be contra rotating - I'm no expert...

 

[The Editor]

Don't CONTRA-dict my COUNTER-argument !

 

[blassberg]

have asked them to translate from US to UK

 

[pascal]

I could not find that site alt.merce.......... , Blasburg.

What is the address?

 

[blassberg]

newsgroup for your newsreader, Passcull
alt.auto.mercedes

I use Mozilla Thunderbird off news server news.individual.net

 

[pascal]

Ah, see

Haven't used a newsgroups since I had MSDOS (pre windows).

Never even activated it on my settings, although my server does have the facility.

Thanks

 

[oigle]

Harmonic balancers are the big round wheel that is keyed to the front of the CRANKSHAFT and drives the fan belts to the accessories. It usually has the ignition timing marks on it. The balance shafts etc you are referring to are totally different articles. The harmonic balancers are usually two concentric pieces of steel with a rubber type compound inserted between the two rings. Any failures are usually due to the rubber bit failing and the balancer coming apart with somewhat disastrous effect to all parts near and attached.

 

[blassberg]

Harmonic balancers are the big round wheel that is keyed to the front of the CRANKSHAFT and drives the fan belts to the accessories.

So the sintered crankshaft pulley?

 

[blassberg]

have asked them to translate from US to UK

Top marks Oigle

Response was

No, It's a harmonic balancer, Usually a big metal disc with a rubber collar that mounts on the outside of the Engine at the end of the Crank shaft.