it is, what else new ? 
GLC 250D Wheel Crabbing
Bought the GLC250 a year ago, my 5th mercedes. I have to say , it is the worst car I have ever had!
They have what Mercedes call a characteristic of the car . In that the front wheels when you turn a sharp corner , you get this very loud and knocking, and feel like the car has absolutely no grip on the road. They call it “Crabbing”. Apparently this is due to the car originally being built as a left hand drive, which doesn’t quite work so well on a right hand drive. Mercedes also recommend that you replace all the tyres with All Weather tyres, as this seems to improve the grip. The tyres will dramatically wear on the outside edge, and this is nothing to do with the tracking. I suggest you test drive one , and check the full lock yourself. When I approached Mercedes customer service, I was told to just buy new tyres at £1200. Not there problem, as they class it as a characteristic, and not a design flaw. Despite the obvious problems. I have even been stopped by other GLC drivers asking me if I had the same problem. So I assume it is fairly common. I also spoke with the Motor Ombudsman, who also said that they have had numerous calls regarding this issue.
What are other drivers thoughts, and how have you dealt with this issue?
They have what Mercedes call a characteristic of the car . In that the front wheels when you turn a sharp corner , you get this very loud and knocking, and feel like the car has absolutely no grip on the road. They call it “Crabbing”. Apparently this is due to the car originally being built as a left hand drive, which doesn’t quite work so well on a right hand drive. Mercedes also recommend that you replace all the tyres with All Weather tyres, as this seems to improve the grip. The tyres will dramatically wear on the outside edge, and this is nothing to do with the tracking. I suggest you test drive one , and check the full lock yourself. When I approached Mercedes customer service, I was told to just buy new tyres at £1200. Not there problem, as they class it as a characteristic, and not a design flaw. Despite the obvious problems. I have even been stopped by other GLC drivers asking me if I had the same problem. So I assume it is fairly common. I also spoke with the Motor Ombudsman, who also said that they have had numerous calls regarding this issue.
What are other drivers thoughts, and how have you dealt with this issue?
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Thanks for the heads up, I had no idea this was a common trait in Mercedes cars. My first thought was that it was the result of the stock wheel set up, which is still unacceptable. The tires wearing on the outside edge should mean that something is off with the alignment..I cant believe this is just accepted as the status quo on a Mercedes product
So how many miles did the All-Season tyres last before they were due for replacement.
I ask because mine have not been on long enough to show any wear yet.
I ask because mine have not been on long enough to show any wear yet.
Hi Aitch and welcome to the forum. Now I think about it, I vaguely recall a few other members becoming mildly irritated by this strange phenomenon. Oh yes, that thread currently has 825 replies across 83 pages and has been viewed over 102,000 times. Don't concern yourself, it's probably just a storm in a teacup and will blow over eventually >What are other drivers thoughts, and how have you dealt with this issue?
:wink2:Click here for THE Mercedes Crabbing Thread
Hi Aitch You need to go back to your dealer and ask for all season tyres to be fitted under warranty , the Goodyear LS2s fitted to my 19" wheels under warranty have eliminated the judder on lock and there is no sign as yet of any scrubbing of the tyres , I am extremely happy with the way my car goes and handles now.
Aitch, where are you based as no location is shown, if you are in the UK go to your dealer and he should offer to change the tyres to all weathers free of charge.
Read the crabbing thread, lots of information on there.
Read the crabbing thread, lots of information on there.
Hi, running 250 d, in both wagon and Coupe. Steel springs and air suspension. 20” AMG rims, in both 255 and 285 specs.
Goodyear All Season, RFT, MOE, M&S tyres now fitted, excellent.
Replaced Pirelli Scorpion Verde , Summer tyres, RFT, MOE, terrible , and Michelin Latitude Sports 3, no run flat, not as bad as Pirelli.
My recommendation is Goodyear if you have 20” rims, from personal use. 8000km so far and wear is looking good. Ride still reasonable given RFT !!
Goodyear All Season, RFT, MOE, M&S tyres now fitted, excellent.
Replaced Pirelli Scorpion Verde , Summer tyres, RFT, MOE, terrible , and Michelin Latitude Sports 3, no run flat, not as bad as Pirelli.
My recommendation is Goodyear if you have 20” rims, from personal use. 8000km so far and wear is looking good. Ride still reasonable given RFT !!
Crabbing is the word !
Hi Guys,
New to this forum ...any help will be hugely appreciate.
Got a brand new GLC 250 AMG IN March 2016 - almost 18000m now went into 2nd service and have been told will new brake pads.
First ever experience with Mercedes and not looking great.
Also,from very beginning when got the car makes noises when reverse or turn,reported to Merc and was simply told this is because this Car do not have winter tyres .I need to get new winter tyres ! that's it.
Still an issue ....noise is a lot you wont believe you are in GLC !
please guys any help on this and the brake pads.
Had Toyota before this and got 24000 on cloak until i needed new brake pads.It is hard to digest with Merc that new brake pads are needed on 17850m
Just wondering if the noise going from the wheels (may be a fault there from pretty much day one) and effects the brake pads !
PLEASE HELP !:frown2:
Hi Guys,
New to this forum ...any help will be hugely appreciate.
Got a brand new GLC 250 AMG IN March 2016 - almost 18000m now went into 2nd service and have been told will new brake pads.
First ever experience with Mercedes and not looking great.
Also,from very beginning when got the car makes noises when reverse or turn,reported to Merc and was simply told this is because this Car do not have winter tyres .I need to get new winter tyres ! that's it.
Still an issue ....noise is a lot you wont believe you are in GLC !
please guys any help on this and the brake pads.
Had Toyota before this and got 24000 on cloak until i needed new brake pads.It is hard to digest with Merc that new brake pads are needed on 17850m
Just wondering if the noise going from the wheels (may be a fault there from pretty much day one) and effects the brake pads !
PLEASE HELP !:frown2:
*So this shudder/crabbing problem is NOT sue to the difference in tire sizes (aspect ratio) but rather what we'd call "locked differentials" which means no limited slip for the outside tire needs to spin faster than the inside? In the 4 wheel drive, if you have tires of a slight difference in height you are going to get a problem when making a tight turn, one tire of opposing front/back needs to spin faster than the other causing shudder,crabbing or it has to give/slip do to because one tire is rotating slightly more than the other (front left/rear right)?
No - not the cause of the fault
Although C43 & C63 models have asymmetrical wheels, the non-AMG models all have symmetrical wheel setups and older models suffered with the Crabbing fault.
MB admitted the steering geometry was different on right-hand-drive cars, due to no space for steering column. They fixed the fault by fitting new front knuckle struts that change the geometry and give more tyre contact.
Although C43 & C63 models have asymmetrical wheels, the non-AMG models all have symmetrical wheel setups and older models suffered with the Crabbing fault.
MB admitted the steering geometry was different on right-hand-drive cars, due to no space for steering column. They fixed the fault by fitting new front knuckle struts that change the geometry and give more tyre contact.
Hi everyone,
My wife’s 2016 GLC 250d AMG has recently been in for a service and MOT at our local Mercedes garage. It failed its MOT due to a worn ball joint to the front passenger side and I had no option but agree to have it changed for an extortionate cost of £650. They have also said that the driver side is also getting worn but passed this time. The car has only done 36000 miles!
12 months after we purchased the car we had the tyres changed FOC by the dealership because of the dreaded wheel crabbing issue at full lock. They were changed to the Goodyear all season tyres, and even though it hadn’t resolved the issue fully we accepted the change.
My question is - due to the premature wear of the ball joints at 36000 miles, would you say this was the result of the wheel crabbing and the pressure exerted on the ball joints. I have written to Mercedes customer services and complain and asked for a goodwill payment but they have denied any responsibility and refer me to the Motoring Ombudsman if I want to take it further.
The other complaint I made was the cost of doing the works against no dealership prices which worked out to be twice the cost - do you think I have a reason to complain about this?
Any help and advice would be greatly appreciate.
Should I take my complaint to the next level?
Many thanks.
My wife’s 2016 GLC 250d AMG has recently been in for a service and MOT at our local Mercedes garage. It failed its MOT due to a worn ball joint to the front passenger side and I had no option but agree to have it changed for an extortionate cost of £650. They have also said that the driver side is also getting worn but passed this time. The car has only done 36000 miles!
12 months after we purchased the car we had the tyres changed FOC by the dealership because of the dreaded wheel crabbing issue at full lock. They were changed to the Goodyear all season tyres, and even though it hadn’t resolved the issue fully we accepted the change.
My question is - due to the premature wear of the ball joints at 36000 miles, would you say this was the result of the wheel crabbing and the pressure exerted on the ball joints. I have written to Mercedes customer services and complain and asked for a goodwill payment but they have denied any responsibility and refer me to the Motoring Ombudsman if I want to take it further.
The other complaint I made was the cost of doing the works against no dealership prices which worked out to be twice the cost - do you think I have a reason to complain about this?
Any help and advice would be greatly appreciate.
Should I take my complaint to the next level?
Many thanks.
We have same GLC and had the Free Tyre swap followed by Free Steering Knuckles all under warranty.
MOT passed last month after 40k miles - but guessing will have the same Ball joint issue.
Guess there isn’t a standard workshop price for changing the ball joints - because it shouldn’t be necessary on a Mercedes Benz after 36k miles 😞
I would talk to the Service Manager and MB UK - keep complaining
Let us know how you get on
MOT passed last month after 40k miles - but guessing will have the same Ball joint issue.
Guess there isn’t a standard workshop price for changing the ball joints - because it shouldn’t be necessary on a Mercedes Benz after 36k miles 😞
I would talk to the Service Manager and MB UK - keep complaining
Let us know how you get on
I decided to divorce the MOT from my annual service. As you have found, your Dealer has put you in a "gun to your head" situation with his £650 quote. When the second and subsequent MOTs become due from Year 4 onwards you can take it to your local MOT station up to a month before expiry and get a 13-month MOT. Should it fail, it still gives me a month to get a competitive quote for the work before having to take the car off the road. Independent garages would do the job using genuine Mercedes parts for a lot cheaper than £650 because they don't have to factor in the cost of the filter coffee and carrot cake or the Molton Brown handwash in the toilets.
Good point Toobad, I’ll consider that next year
When did you have tyres swapped? I had knuckles done some time ago but has got real bad again. Probably temperature. I’ve just been told tyre swap isn’t offered by MB anymore when I asked about it. Car is being collected today but received a call saying do you want us to bother because it’s just the way it is.We have same GLC and had the Free Tyre swap followed by Free Steering Knuckles all under warranty.
MOT passed last month after 40k miles - but guessing will have the same Ball joint issue.
Guess there isn’t a standard workshop price for changing the ball joints - because it shouldn’t be necessary on a Mercedes Benz after 36k miles 😞
I would talk to the Service Manager and MB UK - keep complaining
Let us know how you get on
Our Dealer / MB UK supplied the FOC All Season tyres 3 years ago, before the Knuckle Fix became available. These tyres have done 27,000 miles - down to 4mm - and virtually zero crabbing. Original tyres were completely shot after 12,500 miles.
Tip - Swap rears to fronts
Tip - Swap rears to fronts
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