ser42

Have a '13 GL450 that we bought CPO with about 10K on the clock. I've noticed that every so often, there is a grinding sort of feeling to the steering. It's completely random and lasts only a second or two. No associated noise that I can tell.

Anyone else experience this, and if so, what the issue is?

chanaar

Is it the lane tracking system that alerts you when you are drifting into the other lane?

cadetdrivr

Great question.

(Hint: intentionally cross a solid line or change lanes without using the blinker when road markings are very well defined to verify this.)

ser42

Wow, that would be really annoying if it is.

I'll try it out.

blittle

Well....if it IS that, then you can go into the options menu and turn it off.

ser42

So, it's definitely not that. Drove it about an hour and it happens when I'm in the middle of a very wide lane, not even close to the edge....

manugroup

Is the grinding similar to the symptoms being discussed here:
https://mbworld.org/forums/gl-class-...w-gl550-4.html

ser42

Yes, it sounds as if it is the "scratching" feeling the OP decribed under 40 mph in that thread. I don't have the vibration that others were saying were probably caused by the wheels. This is a very faint vibration that feels as if it may be due to some issue with the electronic steering. The car itself doesn't vibrate and a passenger wouldn't notice it.

Anyone ever figure out what it was? That thread mentions that a dealer told someone it was a pre-warning for the lane assist, but that doesn't make sense as it happened when I was far away from the edge of a lane.

manugroup

I was the one who was told by a service adviser that 2014 GLs have an additional warning stage before a full lane tracking alert goes off. He learned about it from a tech who had just returned from training. It doesn't make sense because this vibration in the steering wheel happens even if lane tracking is turned off. Besides, you have a 2013, so there's something else going on.

My GL has already spent a lot of time in the shop for other problems, so I am not eager to drop it off again just for this issue. But, I also suspect there's something happening with the electronic steering--like something is loose. I get a very noticeable click in the steering when it tightens or loosens up for variable assist (around 20mph). Is that normal?

ser42

I haven't noticed a click around 20 mph, but I'll look out for it.

Was '13 the first year for electronic steering in the GLs? I know Audi had some issues when they switched from hydraulic steering to electronic, at least with the early '13 S4s.