Yep indeed I bought a lightly used set of second hand bearings from Sead on this site, mercedes eventually agreed to a refund after 7 months of arguing. Took another 2 months to actually get it!
If you've the time here's a summary of the shenanigans! And it is a summary!
Just getting back to you on the camshaft and bearings that we got from you for the W113.
You said that you might raise a query with mercedes about the bearing dimensions.
Parts purchased were
A 180 051 86 01 Camshaft
A 130 586 00 05 Camshaft bearing set
The problem is that the bearing set is 0.5mm undersize which means that the holes in the bearings are too small for the camshaft to fit.
It is my belief that these bearings are boxed wrong, or perhaps there is an error on the Mercedes parts catalogue.
The sizes of journals (from front to back)on the new camshaft are 35mm,48mm,48mm and 49mm.
Whereas the sizes of bearings are 34.5mm, 47.5mm, 47.5mm, 48.5mm.
Vin number of the car is 113042-10-008619
Engine number is 127 981 10 007485.
This as discussed is a 230sl. It is fitted with a 250sl cylinder head hence the above camshaft number.
From your Mercedes parts catalogue, the bearings are listed as standard and are the only part number listed for the 250sl.
You might enquire with Mercedes to see if they can shed any light or perhaps check stock to see if there has been an error.
Regards,
Keith.
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If the parts are undersized however they might need to be engineered to fit the head, which according to Mercedes would offer a better solution rather than being oversized.
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No I don't have the engine number from the 250. Yes mercedes are correct saying that the parts are the same on the 250 head as the 230 but incorrect saying that they have to be engineered to fit! As far as I can see the bearings are incorrectly packed or labelled. They are line bored in a jig, fit to dowels on the cylinder head and the camshaft should run directly in the new bearings with no further work.
Below is some further information from a Pagoda specialist.
If they can't come up with a solution I'll have to return them to you. Car is away for paint at the moment and I'm just starting to assemble the engine.
Keith.
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Keith, there are 3 part numbers listed for the camshaft bearing set repair kit for M129.982, Europe. Standard size, internediate and repair size. What is strange that your number 0005 is standard, so I think it should fit the new camshaft...
A1305860005 standard size
A1305860105 intermediate size 0.1mm narrower
A1305860205 repair size 1 0.25mm narrower
Seems you have received 0205 maybe.
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Sorry for the delay getting back to you, we got confirmation back from Mercedes Germany and the UK regarding part
number : A 130 586 0005
MBUK : sold 5 units in the last 12 Months with no issues or PDR claims
MB Germany : sold over 30 units in the last 12 Months with no issues or PDR claims – they have currently 92 of this part number in stock.
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We are no further on with the camshaft bearings dilemma, I need action on this as very shortly it will hold up progress on the rebuild.
I am not satisfied with any of the responses from Mercedes, firstly for them to state "If the parts are undersized however they might need to be engineered to fit the head, which according to Mercedes would offer a better solution rather than being oversized." is frankly ridiculous, do Mercedes expect their customers to re-engineer their parts in order to fit their vehicles, in this case to remove 10 thousands of an inch from the internal diameter of four bearings that have to be in perfect alignment over a distance of 590mm, leaving a perfect bearing surface for the new camshaft to run in. I doubt Mercedes would stand over the guarantee on their parts once modified in the field.
Secondly for them to imply that I shouldn't have an issue because they have sold over 35 units elsewhere with no problems is crazy.
MBUK : sold 5 units in the last 12 Months with no issues or PDR claims
MB Germany : sold over 30 units in the last 12 Months with no issues or PDR claims – they have currently 92 of this part number in stock.
Would it not be better for them to pull one of the 92 items that they have in stock and measure the internal diameters of the bearings?
Could it be suggested they cross reference their part number with the spec sheet for the part to see if the sizes match?
To date we have spent in the region of €3500 with Mercedes through yourselves and to be fair I'd expect better responses than those listed above, I am away next week, but expect you to come up with a solution by this day week, Friday 14th December. If I don't have a solution by then I will be returning the camshaft and the bearings for a full refund.
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If your customer could email back a photo of the engine number from the
donor vehicle. We could then forward on these details to Mercedes technical support in Germany
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Several more emails later.....
Regarding the camshaft bearings purchased on invoice 6803029 dated 27/07/2018.
Having given both yourselves and Mercedes over 7 months to come up with a solution, I'd appreciate at this stage, as discussed on Friday 15th February, that you issue a refund for the total cost of the bearings.
As noted on numerous previous occasions the bearings supplied are not to specification and not suitable for the camshaft.
Surely if the vehicle was in your workshop a solution would of been found by this stage.
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Keith,
I’ve just been speaking with our Parts Manager.
He was in contact with Mercedes Ireland on Thursday regarding this.
They were to look into it again.
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He is contacting them again now for an update.
As soon as I hear back I will be in touch.
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FINALLY FEB 27th
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Our manager was just back to me.
Mercedes have been unable to find a solution for the camshaft bearings issue.
They are willing to take back the bearings supplied and offer us a credit for the parts.
Once we have been credited by Mercedes we will be able to offer you a full refund on the bearings.
We will be in touch once the credit has come through.
