blockage

I had really severe tire wear on the original Pirelli run flats.
This is what one looked at with 24k miles on them:



outside of tire is to the right



I've since purchased replacements (Cooper CS5 Ultra Touring) and had them installed.

My questions are:
With the tire wear this uneven, if I bring it into MB, will I be able to get an alignment under warranty, or is that a service that I'll have to pay for?
Does this reek of an alignment issue, or could there be a different problem with this wear pattern?

Thanks,
---John

linus69

I believe alignment is looked at as a "wear and tear" issue, like tires, brakes and shocks, etc and will not be covered under the warranty by MB. They will make you pay for it and like all MB dealer services you will pay way too much for the wheel alignment at the dealership. The tire in the picture definitely shows a wear pattern that indicates an alignment is needed in my opinion.

tisi_03

John,
Is this wear on both sides and did it happen all of a sudden or gradually?

hikenbike

Did you EVER rotate your tires every 7-10k? I’m thinking not. Theres your issue.

blockage

You called it hikenbike...never rotated tires the entire time we've had the GLC.
Is this the result, or is an alignment still warranted?

Sigp232

Tires should always be aligned right away when picking it up new or used. I did on my GLC when it was delivered to dealer he said it didn’t need it but guess what it was way off from Germany. Spending 50k what’s another 120 dollars.
Oh yes like others said ☝️ Rotate tires on any car.

chassis

blockage, what do the other tires look like?

blockage

@chassis The other front tire had a similar wear pattern...outside worn more significantly than inside.
The rears were mostly consistent across the width of the tires...a more normal wear pattern.

gfish

You definitely need an alignment based on the tire wear but at your mileage the dealer won't do it for free. I had noticed some feathering on my tires at 2000 miles and scheduled an alignment with my dealer and when they checked it they agreed to do it at no charge because it was out to far from factory specs but you have 24k. A tire rotation might have netted you more miles but you still need to correct the Toe-in

chassis

Rotation is imperative. Alignment should be checked.

blockage

Thanks for the feedback everyone! I'll be getting an alignment shortly (not at the dealer), and setting up a reminder to do my tire rotations every 5k.

Sigp232

i recommend doing it at the dealer.
I’ve tried Big o tires, American tires with my other cars and they couldn’t get alignment right. Dealers no problem. Think there equipment is different or better don’t know. Might be more 💰💰💰 but worth it.

blockage

@Sigp232 Ok, cool...good to know! I'm in Phoenix, so maybe I can find one of the dealers with a service special...or at least I'll call them to see what it'll cost me. Appreciate the response!

Sigp232

Your welcome
and check online dealers website alway running some kind of alignment special or some kind of coupon discount you can use.
Have a good weekend 🙏

guhvies

Are the OP's tyres the same size all round? If they aren't, then they can't be rotated.

blockage

Quick follow-up on this...
I found a dealer service coupon for a $139 alignment, so I went dealer vs indie. Took my laptop with me, so I could get some work done in their lovely waiting area for a couple of hours.

They said the toe was really off, and didn't find any other issues.
They also took care of the rear seat belt recall and did a reprogramming of the power train computer that I had never heard about.

All in all, for $140, she's driving very, very nice right now.

Thanks again for the responses!

Cheers,
---blockage

Flubadub

In almost 40 years of owning MB's of all models, I have never had a dealer alignment. There is nothing special about alignment for these vehicles. Any major national tire shop can do it with. I have also found MB to stay aligned better than most other brands I have owned. Our current 300GLC just turned 40K and had the factory alignment checked but not altered at 27K when new tires were installed. Cost was $64 at a local independent who also does Porsche, Audi Maserati., etc. One thing no one mentioned is that the wear in the pics could also be from routine hard cornering.

Teckno

Lots written on tyres.
My view look after them and they look after you.
Really only size of your hand that separates you and the rubber,ashfelt on the road from disaster.
I always rotate tyre, I usually once a year have a wheel alignment and I either have nitrogen in tyres or ‘normal’ air. I tend to run tyre pressures 4-5 psi higher than recommended sticker. On the GLC that is 36 psi.
Our RHD models have severe tyre feathering on front tyre. MB have altered at least 3 times the factory default settings in recognition of the toe and camber issues.
All the best.

K-Mac

Fact is "FULL FRONT AND REAR WHEEL ALIGNMENT" ...... is ONLY TOE 'IN' " OR TOE 'OUT' (DIRECTIONAL ADJUSTMENT). New car industries best-kept secret.

Ex-factory there is no "Camber" or "Caster" to adjust tire contact angles. ESSENTIAL TO RESOLVE COSTLY, PREMATURE EDGE LOAD/WEAR. This can also lead to higher impact loads, ruptured sidewalls and rim damage.

It's all to do with cost savings and the ever increasing speed of vehicle assembly lines. We saw the need, therefore, to re-instate from the early 90's once again full, precise (single wrench) front and rear adjustment.

No more ongoing trips to Dealers or Alignment shops or constantly changing tire brands in the belief that somehow this will resolve premature edge load/wear. The Front and Rear kits at same tire replace the 4 highest wearing suspension bushings.

GLC X253
Front (Camber & Caster) #503416K $480
Rear (Camber & Extra Toe) #502226K $480

Delivery one kit $30 (F/R $50)

PayPal, Visa or M/Card

Jason08247

Oops somehow got to the wrong forum.

laio97

Lucky you got 24k, mine is only 15k with the original Continental tires

Teckno

Mercedes should pay Dealers to do a confirmation alignment at delivery to customer (maybe they do and Dealer sales the money ).
Having a car secured on a transport veh delivering to Dealer is a lot different to having car tied down in a multi level delivery ship from Germany to USA or Australia (60 day sea voyage.
Stresses on tyres and suspension in rolling 30 foot seas , 24 hours a day for 60 days - will affect alignment if tyres and steering knuckles used to torque the car down to the ships platform.
bit like driving down the road and hitting every pot hole and gutter.
I am positive the alignment is out when delivered to customer, depending on method of securing GLC in sea move. ????

chassis

No steering knuckles used in ro-ro shipping.

Teckno

Great photo, I wonder where the tie down points are for the GLC ?
Drivers must be very thin to fit in car !! Maybe handbrake off and they push car into position before tie-down ?
Space is minimal to play with.

chassis

The vehicles are loaded sequentially. Driver has plenty of room to egress. Unload is the reverse of load.