Wangyia

I have just picked up my new GLC 250d today.

And it started raining quite heavily so i got the chance to test out the wipers.

I immediately found that they are making loud squeaking noises when wiping, and not moving smoothly on the windscreen. (looks to me like it's too tight and too much friction so the wipers is bouncing a bit when moving)

Has anyone had similar issues?

Is this some defect on the wiper blades that i should contact my dealer? Or will this go away later with more use?

Appreciate any suggestions.

dieseldoc

If blades are too tight can cause this. Make sure windshield is clean. You can clean wiper blades with rubbing alcohol. This will soften them without degrading them.

Teckno

Lots of complaints in Oz re this issue. Some have had screens polished, others 2 or 3 wiper sets. Believe MB have a new tool to measure angles, etc. Hopefully this will be sorted. Ours is ok, "touch wood", but we have had virtually no rain. Soapy suds dealer put in bottle works really well and has helped some drivers, until it drys up !
Good luck

larrypmyers

Wangyia, My wipers work perfectly. As they smoothly sweep, every bit of water is removed. And best of all they make zero noise.

Follow the doctor's (dieseldoc) orders and wipe the contact part of the blade with an alcohol swab. If this action does not completely solve the problem, it's time to thoroughly clean the windscreen.

There are any number of very good specialty automobile glass cleaning products on the market. My favorite is Dr. Beasley's, www.drbeasleys.com, 777.404.1600.

Ops, I see your driving a 250d meaning your somewhere other than the US. Perhaps Dr. Beasley's is not a good option.

If the above doesn't fix the problem then you have a more serous problem as opined by Techno and dieseldoc.

The bottom line is there is no reason your wipers should not work like mine, i.e., perfectly. Good luck!

Teckno

Here is Aussie post.
Not me but another GLC owner.
"So here's the latest. I cracked it today and escalated to dealer principal and service manager.

They have spoken to MB HO with regard to the wiper issue. MB are supplying a tool to measure the angle and alignment to the windscreen of the wipers. They expect to have this by the end of the week. They will then work with MB to assess next steps.

Incidentally I've had windscreen polished three times now and at least two new sets of wipers."

Aussie link to Forum is ... https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/foru...t=2425867&p=78
Cheers

larrypmyers

My bad. Based on Techno's experience it appears the problem is more complicated than just contaminated components.

Don't recall this being an issue in the US. However, probably just a matter of time.

Another problem needing to be solved along with getting the proper glass installed.

Teckno

Hi,
Here is another comment from the Aussies, Down Under.
I have duplicated this in the niggles, complaints area as well. Not sure if you can list issue multiple time, still learning.
Crocodile writes...
There should be a recall on this issue!

OK guys so here is the latest on the ongoing saga of the juddering windscreen wipers. I suspect i am the most progressed with this issue with the dealer but if anyone else has any info to share that would be incredibly helpful.

So the following has been done to the car so far (over the course of a couple of months and several drop offs):

1. Polish the windscreen with a fine powder by a glass specialist and wiper blades replaced (was told it should be OK but subsequently it wasn't)

2. Polish the windscreen again with the same stuff by the glass specialist and wiper blades replaced (again was told it was tested and seemed OK but post pickup it wasn't)

3. Angle of wiper blades to the windscreen was adjusted by dealer (didn't resolve)

4. Mercedes Benz HO AU become involved and advise that the angle of the wiper to the glass needs to be measured using a special tool that can be ordered via spare parts. Angle is measured and found to be within tolerance. Was also given a bottle of MB Intensive Window cleaner which is like a glass polish that can be used occasionally (dealer suggested maybe every 6 months or so). This was just on Monday when i picked the car up again. At the time was told that all was fine and today i have already got juddering again.

Below are a couple of videos. First one is in normal speed and then one in slo mo. If you turn the volume up on normal speed you will hear it. Slo mo clearly shows the juddering.

https://vimeo.com/163115725

https://vimeo.com/163115759

FYI the dealer i've been working with is MB North Shore (Sydney).

Hopefully this is helpful for other owners. Guys i strongly believe we all have to keep pushing this with our dealers and MB. They are only going to take notice once we are all complaining.
Good luck to all.
So far my setup seems ok, but we still have not had much rain here.

freinhar

I also have the juddering wipers issue, car has been back to dealer once but will have to go again as unresolved. Seems like a very common issue in Australia.

tjgcmcwru

I'm in the U.S. with no such problem. It seems most complaints are from outside the U.S. which is interesting.

I also learned something from this thread, which is the use of the word "juddering" to describe mechanical shaking, primarily British use (and Australian, which makes sense). You learn something new every day!

Teckno

Wiper motor / blade shudder.
If this issue is mainly Oz or UK, could it be the wiper motor, links or pressure springs.
When the right hand drive was made, did MB leave the wiper assembly the same or reverse that set up too ? Any swap in wiper sweep may have altered design dynamics and pressure loading screen on arm and blade - just an altn idea.

davidX253

So it was bucketing down in Melbourne tonight... noisy and shuddering wipers especially the driver side arm.... on an interesting note, when i spray the fluid from the washers, the blades seem to glide over the glass smoothly, a few wipes later, shuddering resumes. Will see if i can get a time to take in tomorrow or next week to build a case...

Any tips to go in with?

Teckno

Sorry DavidX253. We drove in Melb tonight from 4.30 to 6.45 pm, both city and freeway. Wipers were good, no shudder and yes the MB fluid in the wash bottle helps a lot. Try wiping yor rubber blades with a shamy to get muck and grime off them.
Does your driver side arm clean the screen right up against the roof pillar ? Ours stops short with a vertical line about 4cm ? Short it the roof pillar.
Good luck.

JM-GLC

Does yours have the laser-cut wiper blades where the fluid shoots out of the wiper blades? If so, maybe the fluid in the arms and blades gives the assembly enough weight to stop the bouncing. Once the blades wipe a few times, the fluid gets flung out and loses that extra weight. (Just thinking out loud.)

mikbar2

We haven't had a problem with ours yet but I must say; I can see special tools to adjust valves, abs and certain other items but, windshield wipers? This is starting to go beyond ludicrous. Never had a problem with 1957 Ford wipers why should anyone have problems with 2016 MB wipers?

JM-GLC

My suspicion is that MB used a different vendor for the wipers on right-hand drive models since they probably wipe a different direction. This vendor has lower-quality wiper arms that don't hold the blades against the windshield. That's why I asked about the laser-cut blades earlier - they reported it didn't skip when running the fluid, so I was speculating that the extra weight of the fluid fixed the issue. A test would be to temporarily tape a little extra weight on the wiper blade arm.

mikbar2

That doesn't answer why they are having more problems than 1957 technology.

Teckno

In OZ, no fluid come out via the wiper arms. The fluid is sprayed from 3 concealed jets from under the rear of the bonnet.
It seems to only affect the longer arm that cleans the drivers vision, my guess.
I'd say it may be the longer arm looses pressure the longer it is, coupled with a curved window glass that is mass produced.
As an aside our screen has HUD - no wiper issue at this stage. It would be interesting to see if only those vehs having issues did not have HUD. Grasping at straws, as they say, but so many variables.

JM-GLC

In the US, what you describe is also the default configuration, but there is an undocumented option to add a Heated Windshield, which includes the Magic Vision Control option. You can see the Magic Vision Control demo at the URL below. The downside of Magic Vision Control is the wiper blades are VERY expensive.

fabbrisd1

1st = to be helpful - my experience MB dealers and "indies" in Australia and across the Middle East with respect to using tap/hose water for coolant - or anything including windshield wiper mix - with a MB/btter car. Tap/hose water by-and-large in those areas is alkali - or treated with heavy lime to bring ph to "neutral" - and as a result in those areas - for example - radiators/water-pumps/windshield-reservoirs/washer-pumps are all short-term life as a result. In those areas - coolant/washer should ALWAYS be distilled water which eliminates the particulates - and those particulates frack a lot of stuff up as "normal" for them - which in other areas is rare - my personal rant.

2nd - HUD windshield glass is different material from even "newer" windshield glass.

Frankly - especially HUD glass should never be "polished/cleaned" with any abrasive harder than "diatomaceous polish" used for plexi - and never polished with anything harder than sheepskin/microfiber head at ultra-low speed. Actually the proper process is much easier than it sounds - and frankly for me quite a while has applied to ALL newer EU spec "glass".

Yes - there are specific MB workshop "tools" for wiper tension - and a competant dealer has them.

"Protcol" on the warranty complaint - new MB warranty - new delivery - here in US under 12K miles - after cleaning - drain/replace washer fluid - check tension - replacement wipers - all the logical stuff does not solve the problem - then windshield is replaced under warranty.

marchnat

Hello,

I am also having the same issue with a 2016 GLC 300 in the US. I've been to the dealer 6 times and have had multiple calls with MBUSA representatives. So far all they've done is replace the wipers and polished the windshield. All were temporary fixes.

They claim the jutter is due to a dirty windshield which I don't believe as I have 2 other cars parked in the same location with no issues. They also replaced the wipers while it was raining and I made it 10 feet out of their service bay before the issue came back. At that point the windshield was clean and the wipers are new.

I'll post any updates I get. So far I've been dealing with this for 3 months and I'm glad to know I'm not alone.

Lurkerlisa

Just picked up our GLC in Stuttgart. Had some rain today and experienced the juddering on the driver's side no matter if it was pouring or drizzling. Hope they fix it before we get the car in America.

mindi

Thought the RHD changeover as the cause was a good suggestion but that is obviously not it. I am not pretending any deep knowledge of HUD but from my reading HUD has a coating on the inside of the glass. I have not seen any mention of 'special" glass.

I dont see everyone taking up the suggestion of cleaning the blades with alcohol wipes/ methanol and using detergent in their reservoirs, and wouldn't assume that new blades were clean, in fact would be completely unsurprising if they acquired some substance on them during manufacture.
Please keep posting Teckno....managing the issue well. Your result will be my guide when I get my GLC in Melbourne

Bhemmings65

We picked our brand new GLC250 from Northshore MB dealer in Sydney. Rained the next day and drivers side wiper shudders very badly. I cleaned the windscreen and wipers with top quality automotive glass cleaner. No difference. If I use the washer function the wipers work fine for about 10 seconds then start shuddering again. Spoke with the dealer and they said that MB has advised them that there is no fix and that the wipers will settle down in time. Not good enough on a vehicle we waited 6 months for and cost nearly $100k. I also have a new E250 and the wipers work perfectly. I don't know what my next step should be.

mindi

You fill me with dread for mine coming in a few months. It cant be a cleaning issue can it. I have a bit of trouble with the wrong angle/wrong pressure suggestions. This is not a Tata...I am reckoning they can make windscreen wipers. My guess is the rubber compound has a problem which they will be busy fixing while pretending there is nothing wrong.
The next thing I would try would be lubrication by putting some detergent in the reservoir. If you check the manual it says to avoid excessive blade cleaning because you might remove the graphite coating on the blades....hmmmm maybe they forgot the graphite coating on the blades..? and that would come under the general heading of lubrication.

here is the line from the manual

"Do not clean wiper blades too often and do not rub them too hard. Otherwise, the graphite coating could be damaged. This could cause wiper noise."

Teckno

Suds in washer helps, but is not the solution. One owner had dealership swap out the wiper motor, and behold !! The problem no longer existed. I believe MB have an issue with quality control with wiper arm motor. The owner did not say if both motors same or what sticker info as to build state or supplier. Mine have been ok for the last 4 months, but the other day I did notice 'juddering' or shudder. Hope it was just an isolated incident. Good luck.