Auxiliary Drive Belt Damper

Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.

normanr

Active Member
Joined
Aug 14, 2006
Messages
757
1999 C-Class Petrol.
Has anybody had my problem with there C-Class the Auxiliary Drive Belt Damper is very noisy when people have listened to it they said timing chain rattle including the garage that serviced it last.

I found it by sheer luck but if I push against it the noise goes completely so removed it and there is plenty of compression on it so I don't think it is worn out, there is a bit of play where the top securing bolt connects to the thermostat housing there is a bush goes into the housing and the bolt then goes through to secure it.
 

Attachments

  • P1010535.jpg
    P1010535.jpg
    72.5 KB · Views: 160
The bushes wear out allowing the damper to rattle.Cure is a new damper. Its easier to replace it if you take the poly V BELT tensioner off completely. While its off spin the pulley to make sure the inner bearing isn't worn.
 
Thanks Graeme
Bearings are fine as I have had it all off.
I did not know if this was a common fault but I notice the bushes are only ally or soft metal I have a small lathe in the garage I think I will turn a bush first it seems stupid to throw a good damper out for the sake of a worn bush that is separate anyway.

Cheers
Norman
 
It is a very common fault on the w124 as well. Put a new one on you will be amazed at the difference. I am a bit surprised that a garage misdiagnosed it that badly - I would be very wary of them in the future.
 
Is the Damper the same part as the Tensioner ?
Are there any Step by Step Guides/How To's for this job on the net ?
Thanks For Any Info ;)
 
It is a very common fault on the w124 as well. Put a new one on you will be amazed at the difference. I am a bit surprised that a garage misdiagnosed it that badly - I would be very wary of them in the future.

Decided to take your advise and fit a new one complete I have just ordered the parts from www.mercedes-benz-parts.co.uk.which includes the bushes.

I have ordered from this company before and the service is excellent usually next day delivery,thanks for your help again guys
 
Let us know what the engine sounds like when it is fitted!
 
Smiley
Can't get into my garage so it will have to be done on the driveway and the weather forecast for the rest of the week and the weekend is terrible.

I will let you know what it sounds like once fitted because at the moment it is very noisy and the part was only £28.02 complete with the bushes
 
Is it the actual damper rattling or the tensioner pulley bearing.?
 
No it is the damper that is causing all the noise,I have had it stripped out and the bearing is 100% but as I said if I put pressure on the damper arm or wedge something behind it the noise goes completely.
When I run the engine and hold the top of the damper I can see and feel the vibration
 
300TD's and 250TD's also suffer with that problem.

The C180 202 did not have the damper from new. Just the tensioner. (geek)
 
300TD's and 250TD's also suffer with that problem.

The C180 202 did not have the damper from new. Just the tensioner. (geek)
I've just been out looking at my 99 C200 and can't see no damper but there are 2 holes on the thermostat to fit one!
A couple of year ago my local specialist said my Poly V Belt Tensioner could do with changing but I never bothered.
What part is the Tensioner on the above diagram, is it No5 ? If so thats £60 on the mercedes parts web site.
Is that a easy job ?
 
I've just been out looking at my 99 C200 and can't see no damper but there are 2 holes on the thermostat to fit one!
A couple of year ago my local specialist said my Poly V Belt Tensioner could do with changing but I never bothered.
What part is the Tensioner on the above diagram, is it No5 ? If so thats £60 on the mercedes parts web site.
Is that a easy job ?[/quote

Easy peasy.

Get a damper too. It's quieter.
 
Let us know what the engine sounds like when it is fitted!

Hi Smiley
Just finished the job today including flush and drain antifreeze couldn't do it before because of the lousy weather.

Sounds great now well worth doing it was only £28.02 plus delivery so not big money I also replaced the auxiliary belt as well.
 
Job Done!! :rock:

I've just done the Damper, Tensioner and Belt!
Bearing in mind that my car didn't have a Damper fitted as standard, when I got the belt and pulley off, I could see where the top of the Damper fitted to the Thermostat but couldn't see no holes on the Tensioner for the Damper to screw to. The Tensioner shaft was also wobbly which is probably what my local specialist was on about when he said the Tensioner could do with replacing.
Anyway I put it all back together and went out to GSF and got a new Tensioner which had the bracket/holes for the Damper to fix to.
So now I've got a new Retro Fitted Damper :D new Tensioner and new Belt!
The Bearing in the Pulley was all good so everythin is spot on and nice and quiet!!
A good job done! :rock:
Thanks for the advice and persuasion to do it guys! :bannana:
 
Well done not a hard job was it.
No not a hard job, was just a bit confusing because of my car not having a Damper originally and i couldn't work out where the bottom arm of the Damper attached to! :confused: Once I seen the new/replacment Tensioner in the GSF shop with the attachment holes,it all fell into place!
Thanks again for the advice ;)
 
My 1999 300td had a very bad sound coming from what i thought was the timming chain, but it was the damper. as they all have said it makes a big differance when you fit the new one. And it was not that exspensive
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top Bottom