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GLC 43 - cross-posted with my thread in the AMG GLC forum
I plan to replace my run-flats with regular tires, so I went to the local junkyard and found a pristine condition spare tire (part number 1644000002), jack, lug wrench, and short lug bolts, and got the whole kit for $17 (sweet!) off a late-2000s ML-class. The spare is 18" with a 155/90/18 tire (diameter according to tire size calculator is 29" which matches the GLC43 stock tires).
Upon test-fitting, the wheel did NOT clear the front AMG brake caliper (it rubbed along the corners). To solve this, I purchased a 20mm spacer (ebay link: https://www.ebay.com/itm/192483487611 "2X 20MM HUBCENTRIC WHEEL SPACERS ¦ 5X112 ¦ 66.6 CB ¦ 14X1.5 Fits Mercedes Audi" - pic below). After receiving the spacer, I test fitted again and now it clears with a few mm to spare - success.
A few things to note:
When mounting on the front with the spacer, I used the original (stock) lug bolts. Mounting on the rear without spacer will require the short lug bolts that were part of the kit I pulled from the trunk of the ML.
The spare fits in the hatch under the trunk lid, but you have to put it upside-down (yellow labels facing down). The hatch lid closes without any extra pressure
Hello, I tried to order these spacers and the seller said it would only fit the rear and not the front as the lip on the front hub is much higher than the rear ones. Did it work for both front and rear for you? I have a 2021 GLC 300 rwd. Thanks!
". Did it work for both front and rear for you? I have a 2021 GLC 300 rwd. Thanks!"
The post you quote is for the AMG spec brakes, known to be larger and different in spec than those on our base GLC. My salvage ML/GLE class spare fits all corners -- EDIT, I RETRACT THIS POINT AS I NOW DO NOT RECALL HAVING PROVEN THIS OUT. SINCE MY 2020 and Kennethlee88's 2021 should be the same base front brake, I likely also don't clear that front piece and need to axle swap if use becomes necessary on the front axle.
Did you test fit yours before assuming you need a spacer? Read more in these post details again, there's lots here.
Even if not, both the AMG owners and we could label and use the spare as for Rear Axle only. (I do the opposite front only for a Miata with a rear LSD due to different diameter spare.). This means simply placing it on rear, then moving a rear wheel forward to replace a dead front - assuming no staggered wheel tire assembly sizing.
Last edited by mustbebenz; 02-03-2023 at 04:47 PM.
". Did it work for both front and rear for you? I have a 2021 GLC 300 rwd. Thanks!"
The post you quote is for the AMG spec brakes, known to be larger and different in spec than those on our base GLC. My salvage ML/GLE class spare fits all corners. Did you test fit yours before assuming you need a spacer? Read more in these post details again, there's lots here.
Even if not, both the AMG owners and we could label and use the spare as for Rear Axle only. (I do the opposite front only for a Miata with a rear LSD due to different diameter spare.). This means simply placing it on rear, then moving a rear wheel forward to replace a dead front - assuming no staggered wheel tire assembly sizing.
I did test fit the GLE spare on the front and the inside of the brake caliper did not clear, leaving a scratch on the inside surface of the wheel. Your suggestion of putting the spare on the rear and switch the regular to the front if the front needs replacing would definitely work but I was trying to avoid this one extra step. The reason for going to the 20 mm spacer was to avoid buying a new set of shorter lug nuts by using the regular lugs which are 20 mm longer and this setup with work front and back. The following quote was from the seller of the spacer: "If you take off both front and rear wheels, you will see the front hub lip is much taller than the rear hub lip. And as we have stated before, the spacers will not fit on the front hub of your vehicle."
The member I was messaging to showed pictures of the same spacer on the front hub so I was trying to confirm. Thanks.
Interesting. So it'll be different front vs rear axle treatments unless you can resolve this one way or the other. If you can't resolve, then likely you already thought to very clearly label specific spare use instructions for some idiot-proofing, such as a sturdy warning/instruction card and/or the spacer/short lugs in a plastic parts bag directly attached to the spare using a zip tie through a bolt hole and the center bore. Even if you're the car's sole operator and owner, you never know -- which is partly why some of us get these spares in the first place, ha. Also try a DM to that member, of course. Best wishes.
2016 GLC 250d AMG pack, 2017 GLC Coupe 250d AMG pack , 2002 BMW 330Ci convertible, 2021 BMX X1 sD20i
Ditch the rubber - look on the sidewall for a date of rubber manuf - eg, 0806. Date is in an oval. 0806 translates to 8th week of 52 weeks and 06 means year manuf = 2006.
If your rubber is more than 7 to 10 years old cut it and purchase a new tire. It may look nice on the outside, but internally it it is rotting, it is a cancer, if kept and used in an emergency, may cause a blow out, after that your life is based on luck, or worse, someone else’s life may be impacted.
Ditch the rubber - look on the sidewall for a date of rubber manuf - eg, 0806. Date is in an oval. 0806 translates to 8th week of 52 weeks and 06 means year manuf = 2006.
If your rubber is more than 7 to 10 years old cut it and purchase a new tire. It may look nice on the outside, but internally it it is rotting, it is a cancer, if kept and used in an emergency, may cause a blow out, after that your life is based on luck, or worse, someone else’s life may be impacted.
No oval but I assume this marking means manufactured in 2012?
What special tools/bolts/etc is needed with such a wheel?
Just shorter lug nuts if the wheel fits both front and rear hub like the factory supplied one does. I am returning this one given the comment above about tire blowout with older tires ( verified with other online publications) and the fact that it does not fit the front. I paid $200 off eBay for this and for $200 more, I’ll buy the Modern Spare instead, new rubber, guaranteed fit. Still cheaper than a factory one that was quoted at $900 here in Los Angeles.
I thought that the Mini Spare was only to be used on the rear wheels.
I have a 2021 GLC 300 that came with a spare which can be used on both front and rear hub. My wife has a 2019 GLC 300 which did not come with a spare and I was looking for a cheaper alternative than the $900 OEM spare from the dealer. Put the 2021 spare in the 2019 as it needed new tires and went with Michelin Primacy and there is so much less road noise and a much better ride than the Perelli run flats! Will buy the Modern Spare at $360 + tax and shipping for the 2021 GLC as it’ll fit better below the lid, it’s a little bit wider, 155 v 145.
It turned out that the 2019 GLC 300 I recently acquired is already running on non-runflat tires, and so all of the forum's information on spare tire options has been immediately helpful to me. Thank you!
I decided to acquire a spare tire kit from Modern Spare. I received the spare tire much faster than the four to six weeks they told me to expect, and it fits very comfortably under the floor panel. No problem getting the latch engaged and the contact between tire and fuse box is so minimal I wouldn't have noticed it if I hadn't read about the issue here.
The spare I bought from eBay needed spacer to fit the front hub and the tire was over 10 years old. Returned it and just received the Modern Spare. For $200 more, I don't have to worry about a potential blowout with an old tire and also no having to mess with spacer for the front hub. Fits perfectly under the floor lid in the trunk too. Pretty stylish for a spare! No brake caliper clearance problem
@mercedes77429
I too purchased from Modern Spare for my 2020 GLC300 4Matic. The whole kit plus a $20 discount because I asked with tax was ~$450. KUMHO tire, nice quality on the jack and tools as well. Question - the 2020 insert does have this hump near the fuse box, 'box" with that little flip up cover/door. I was going to Dremel/cut carefully that hump piece out, but I see you just crushed yours into place. Is that right? Do others have any other suggestions? After looking things over, I removed the insert, and I want to make sure that whatever I do, I want to have some protection for the fuses. Basically reverse the insert material or somehow do what I can. Just a side comment.
Originally Posted by mercedes77429
Based on forum feedback (thank you) I recently purchased a spare tire from Modern Spare for my 2021 GLC 300. I purchased the entire kit ($415) directly from Modern Spare. There was a question about it fitting under the load floor since Mercedes reportedly made some design changes in 2020. The good news: it fits! I had to push down some flexible molding to make it fit-- but this wasn't a problem since there was nothing under the raised molding part. I'm very pleased with the product-- especially since my Mercedes dealer couldn't offer a solution.
Let us know how it fits, both the car and clearances, and also in the tire well.
I have one sitting in the garage from when I removed the run flats from our ML. It's next to the GLC run flat takeoffs, taking up space.
Need a spare for the GLC.
Just saw your post about the spare tire for your 2017 GLC300, and that you live in Las Vegas. I just purchased the same car Friday and discovered today that it doesn't have Run Flats or a sparetire/jack.
The dealerships in Vegas do suck. Every time I go to Fletcher Jones I wonder how are they going to try and rip me off today. It was the same with Fletcher Jones Lexus when I had a SC400. I did find a good, honest repair shop that specializes in Mercedes (I also have an 07 SL500) Silver Arrows Motors on Arville close to the Palms Casino.
I hope your tire situation worked out for you, I'm going to look around my garage tommorow when its cooler to see what I have on hand for a jack and lug wrench
07-21-2022, 02:22 AM
