GLC63 AMG Tyre Skipping / Tyre Crabbing 2019 (pre-facelift)

6879 Views 20 Replies 10 Participants Last post by Byreman, 2 mo ago

A7_AMG

Discussion Starter · Dec 30, 2020

Hi All,

I hope this finds you in good health.

I need some advice from other owners/drivers of this vehicle with similar issues or just learned people with the knowledge.

I recently purchased my GLC63 after pining over it for years only to be majorly disappointed with the crabbing. I spoke to the MB dealership who sold it to me who said it is a safety feature and we can not help. I took it to a MB dealership more local to me who were even more disinterested. They did take a look and left me with a note passed on from a receptionist saying the car is safe.

WTF! The car may be safe but it is so uncomfortable. This is not advertised anywhere!!

I know other people have replaced the tyres themselves etc but did anyone ever get MB to replace the tyres or deliver a fix without being fobbed off?
Are people changing all the tyres or just the front?

This is my 4th Mercedes and the one I looked forward to the most, I'm really annoyed with how MB haven't shown any emotion after selling me this car.

Any help would be greatly welcomed.

Thanks,

A7_AMG

1 - 20 of 21 Posts

Tony Mac

· #2 · Dec 31, 2020

Shocking how MB continue to ignore this fault on the C43 & C63 GLC.

For non C43 or C63 models MB eventually - after 3+ years of customers shouting - supplied replacement Steering Knuckles that changed the wheel geometry & tyre surface contact.

Afraid this Fix is NOT available for C43 or C63 AMG models.

Winter tyres will mask and reduce the fault but you might struggle to find suitable tyre sizes.

If your car is still under warranty, keep shouting at the Dealer and directly at MB UK. They might supply tyres FOC or reduced costs.

Good luck and please let us know how you get on.

Tony

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A7_AMG

Discussion Starter · #3 · Dec 31, 2020

Tony Mac said:
Shocking how MB continue to ignore this fault on the C43 & C63 GLC.

For non C43 or C63 models MB eventually - after 3+ years of customers shouting - supplied replacement Steering Knuckles that changed the wheel geometry & tyre surface contact.

Afraid this Fix is NOT available for C43 or C63 AMG models.

Winter tyres will mask and reduce the fault but you might struggle to find suitable tyre sizes.

If your car is still under warranty, keep shouting at the Dealer and directly at MB UK. They might supply tyres FOC or reduced costs.

Good luck and please let us know how you get on.

Tony

Hi Tony,

Thank you for responding and I agree, it is shocking and appalling how the MB after sales team is nonchalant towards the customers needs.

Anyhow, I will keep banging on the MB drum and will keep everyone updated.

Happy New Year

A7_AMG

Trentend

· #4 · Jan 3, 2021

Apologies if this has been answered elsewhere, is the crabbing issue still likely to be present on brand new models like the 220d 4Matic AMG Line 5dr 9G-Tronic [2021]? So close to pulling the trigger on this but still spooked by the stories out there.

Tony Mac

· #5 · Jan 3, 2021

Crabbing was fixed for non-AMG GLC’s manufactured after 2019 - re-engineered steering geometry

So you should be ok with a new 220d

Sadly, New C43 & C63 AMG GLC’s still suffer from the Crabbing Fault.

Shame because it’s a great car with and unbearable Fault - in my opinion.

Tony

Trentend

· #6 · Jan 3, 2021

Thanks Tony. Good to hear it should be ok. Quite shocked when I googled “GLC juddering Issue”! I was also looking for a petrol model given my low (7k pa) in Town mileage - not sure if the GLC diesel is something to avoid suffering DPF issues (that put me off an Evoque) or ok? Lease costs for the petrol are quite a bit more so just trying to work out over 4 years if there’s really a difference.

Tony Mac

· #7 · Jan 3, 2021

Ours is a 250d AMG Line with Night Pack
When the car was new the DPF process was quite alarming, thought the car was about to burst into flames - strong smell of burning rubber and very hot under the bonnet and wings. But must say I haven’t noticed it since.

I would be interested to know what deal you get?

Tiny

stubax

· #8 · Jan 4, 2021

Trentend said:
Thanks Tony. Good to hear it should be ok. Quite shocked when I googled “GLC juddering Issue”! I was also looking for a petrol model given my low (7k pa) in Town mileage - not sure if the GLC diesel is something to avoid suffering DPF issues (that put me off an Evoque) or ok? Lease costs for the petrol are quite a bit more so just trying to work out over 4 years if there’s really a difference.

My 250 petrol is great, went for petrol as I am only doing 6k a year, mainly short journeys, petrol consumption is not great tho, currently averaging 30 mpg. Have seen 36 mpg on a run.

davedutch

· #9 · Jan 14, 2021 (Edited)

I feel your pain A7_AMG... Likely you have the optional 20" or maybe even the 21" wheels? Up until a few days ago I had the optional 20" wheels with the Continental SportContact 6 tyres on our GLC63 - have had almost 3 years of terrible crabbing and juddering for at least 2/3rds of the year in the UK. Fitted a set of the standard GLC63 19" wheels and the problem is gone at last - didn't even need to fit all-season tyres which fit the 19" wheels. I really like the look of the standard 19" wheels and wanted a set that I could keep on permanently - not interested in swapping/storing wheels and tyres for different seasons. Trouble is most GLC owners don't want the standard 19" wheels...but they do improve the ride and drive so much.

Teto

· #10 · Mar 25, 2021

Hi all,

I have my GLC350d 2018 with winter tyres and it seems it is not affected at all by the problem. I understand the tyres could mask the issue, but is there a way i can check whether I should have the steering knucle replaced?

Many thanks!

Tony Mac

· #11 · Mar 25, 2021

My guess would be that if the Dealer cannot reproduce the Crabbing fault on your car, they won’t be rushing to replace the knuckles.

The soft flexible winter tyres will certainly appear to resolve the problem.

I believe the improved Steering geometry / new knuckles were fitted on 2019 and newer GLC’s. So yours could well suffer from Crabbing?

If you are happy to swap to Winter tyres each year, then it shouldn’t be an issue.

Teto

· #12 · Mar 25, 2021

Thanks Tony. Yes you are right I could have the problem on my car but having winter tyres on it might masks it.

When I will change tyre I was thinking about putting summer tyre but I m really afraid to have the problem showing up...

Let’s see what is going to happen!

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Chocolate

· #13 · Apr 9, 2021

davedutch said:
I feel your pain A7_AMG... Likely you have the optional 20" or maybe even the 21" wheels? Up until a few days ago I had the optional 20" wheels with the Continental SportContact 6 tyres on our GLC63 - have had almost 3 years of terrible crabbing and juddering for at least 2/3rds of the year in the UK. Fitted a set of the standard GLC63 19" wheels and the problem is gone at last - didn't even need to fit all-season tyres which fit the 19" wheels. I really like the look of the standard 19" wheels and wanted a set that I could keep on permanently - not interested in swapping/storing wheels and tyres for different seasons. Trouble is most GLC owners don't want the standard 19" wheels...but they do improve the ride and drive so much.

Have they not sorted this problem on the 21 models.

davedutch said:
I feel your pain A7_AMG... Likely you have the optional 20" or maybe even the 21" wheels? Up until a few days ago I had the optional 20" wheels with the Continental SportContact 6 tyres on our GLC63 - have had almost 3 years of terrible crabbing and juddering for at least 2/3rds of the year in the UK. Fitted a set of the standard GLC63 19" wheels and the problem is gone at last - didn't even need to fit all-season tyres which fit the 19" wheels. I really like the look of the standard 19" wheels and wanted a set that I could keep on permanently - not interested in swapping/storing wheels and tyres for different seasons. Trouble is most GLC owners don't want the standard 19" wheels...but they do improve the ride and drive so much.

Hi Have they sorted this problem on the 21 models(63s) doe anyone know?

Tony Mac

· #14 · Apr 9, 2021

No - C43 & C63’s still Crab 🦀 - Shocking

New non-AMG models have redesigned steering geometry that fixes the fault.

Pre 2019 non-AMG models can be fitted with New Knuckles that change the steering geometry, fixing the Crabbing. This fix is Not available for C43 or C63 models.

Teto

· #15 · Apr 9, 2021

Do you guys know if they do the change of steering knuckles outside of the warranty period? My 2018 GLC350d has winter tyres and soon I will need to change them and I m afraid of putting summer tyres!!

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Tony Mac

· #16 · Apr 9, 2021

Our dealer was very good and fitted the New knuckles just outside of the warranty period - I had been pushing MB HQ for 3 years to get a fix.

Talk to the Dealer and remind them that the new knuckles should really have been fitted earlier in the cars life - to fix a long-standing fault

I would recommend All Season tyres - original Summer tyres were scrubbed after only 12k miles. After new knuckles and AS tyres, these have done 28k miles and still going.

Teto

· #17 · Apr 9, 2021

Thanks Tony. So far 13800 miles and tyres look a bit more consumed on the sides but they still seem OK.

Let s see if it is worth changing the tyres with summer tyres or not! Fingers crossed!

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Tony Mac

· #18 · Apr 9, 2021

Tip - Far less wear on the rear tyres so I swapped the Rear with Front tyres.

robwils

· #19 · Apr 14, 2021

so we had a GLC 43 which was terrible at crabbing on the 21" AMG wheels. We bought some aftermarket 19" wheels with winter tyres and it was so much better. Car has now gone through as mrs lost all confidence in it as well as local dealer. Ill be selling the winter wheels / tyres soon if anyone is interested ? Based in UK, nr Middlesbrough

Cyp66

· #20 · Mar 23, 2022

Teto said:
Do you guys know if they do the change of steering knuckles outside of the warranty period? My 2018 GLC350d has winter tyres and soon I will need to change them and I m afraid of putting summer tyres!!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Hi, I’m new to MB, I had an a6 for 7 years and sold it with 190000 miles on the clock, was immaculate when it went full history etc, I liked the glc and decided to treat myself for retiring after 28 years in the fire service, I too got a 350 d amg prem plus, yes it crabs and other issues it has 34000 miles on clock and the drivers seat is worn on side cushion I found out it’s not leather but vinyl😱😱😱 which is shocking for a premium make of vehicle, to be honest the only thing I think glc’s have going for them is the looks especially the amg, I wish I had stuck to my original choice of new car that being an sq5 plus which has better performance and economy but also REAL leather seats

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