Love my GLC AMG, except for one thing ... the crabbing. In my case it's not a cold weather issue, it happens even when the temp is in the 70s. It happens backing out of parking spots, with less than full lock, and even when making turns to go up the ramps in multi-story garages. It's loud, people nearby notice it, the first few times I was convinced I'd hit something.

Took it to our MB dealer yesterday for its first annual service, at 5,900 miles (our schedule over the last year was all screwed up and it mainly did 70 mph 300+ mile interstate trips between our home and the beach). I had called the dealer's service department a couple of times, explaining the crabbing problem and we both agreed it would be something they would look at during the first service. Also, after reading some of the posts on this site, I asked them to do a full alignment. I anticipated the pushback, said that it was for my peace of mind, so I was prepared to eat the cost. After looking at me as though I had 4 heads for even suggesting that my MB experience was less than I expected, they quickly pointed out that my front Conti tires were wearing close to the wear bars ... at 5,900 miles! They then proceeded to tell me I must be driving it very aggressively to get that much tire wear ... nope, just 5+ hours of almost straight interstate travel each way about every month. My request to have the alignment checked met with the response that I didn't know what I was talking about.

After 3 hours they called me to tell me it was ready, but no alignment check! My emotion level clicked up a notch or two, I said it was staying there until they did it, so another 2 hour wait. Attached are the before and after results ... the front toe-in was almost 3 times what it should be (38' versus 14')! No apology when I picked the vehicle up, their answer to the crabbing was a copy of the tech notes detailing cold weather operation of summer tires, despite telling them it happens with temps in the 70s. I will see whether the re-alignment changes the crabbing. My next options are a combination of either dump the car (a shame, I love everything else), finding a new dealer (highly likely) and researching new tires. It looks like Pirelli and Dunlop do direct replacements to Conti, although I had been thinking of going to the ContiSeal version of the tire. The rears are OK, so I'm hesitating to only switch one axle to a new brand. Analysis paralysis!

 

I feel your pain for the alignment I noticed my tires were feathering on the outside and asked my dealer to align at 2000 miles. Mine was way out of spec like yours and because it was out so much they did it for free. I have a habit of running my hands across the top of the tires once in a while to check for alignment issues because tires aren't cheap

 

I have mixed Michelin all season and Continental summer tires while waiting for the summers to wear out and I really couldn't tell any difference at all because I don't race and don't go to the track. Ordinary (even aggressive) street driving will make no difference to your driving experience.

 

G'day all

New member with a 12 month old GLC43. Just had the first service at 17k klms. The dealer pointed out excessive wear on the inside shoulders of the front tyres.
He suggested we get a wheel alignment. It was interesting that the dealer did not offer to carry out the wheel alignment.

I went to a local suspension specialist (Pedders) that I have used for a number of years on Subaru WRX ( I have had 9 WRX from new so far).
He was not a happy camper after assessing the GLC front end showing excessive negative camber, He rang around for some advice as he had not worked on any GLC before.

As others have posted on the thread, there is no factory adjustment for camber, so all he could do was counter the factory camber with toe in to reduce the tyre wear.
Far from ideal and a long way short of the relatively cheap Subaru adjustability.

Has anyone had the K-Mac bushes fitted to their GLC as it seems to be a reasonable solution? I am more interested in any transmitted noise from the different bush material.

I also need to replace the front tyres only as the rears still have about 4 to 5mm of tread left and are wearing fairly evenly.
There seems to be a much wider selection of tyres in 265/40 r21 vs the standard 255/40 r21
Will the additional 7 to 8mm of rolling diameter on the 265 have any impact on the vehicle sensors?
This is based on the best rolling diameters I can find online.

 

Yes with OEM "A FULL WHEEL ALIGNMENT" is only front and rear Toe "directional adjustment". Compensating with excess toe actually "increasing" the wear rate.

No front and rear Camber (or front Caster) to cater for other than show room height conditions.

We saw the need for its re - instatement from the early 90's allowing to "ADJUST TIRE CONTACT ANGLES".

No more ongoing trips to dealers or alignment shops or constantly changing tire brands. Fixing it right the 1st. time.

Finally the adjustment to resolve costly, premature edge tire wear, reduce the effect of crabbing on full lock and improve traction.

Essential day to day commuting encountering high cambered roads, altered height through load carrying or lowering, fitting wide profile tires / wheels, correctly resolving steering pull and having ongoing adjustment for curb knock damage. Also replacing the same time - the 4 highest wearing suspension bushings -1st.items to fail.

Constantly updating, improving - the latest K-MAC 2019 generation front kit (GLC 43, 63 #503416 K) have further increased adjustment range. Now close on 5 times that of the inaccurate - front only ( one only offset position) fluted bolts.

Also no need to remove arms from vehicle to replace the Camber bushings.

With the unique K-MAC patented adjustment system allowing the most precise adjustment - easily accessible single wrench - on car accurately (under load) direct on alignment rack!

Similar fitment / adjustment for the rear Camber (and "extra" Toe) kit

GLC 220 -350, 43, 63 (C253 / X253)

Front Camber & Caster adjuster Bush Kit #503416 K $480

Rear Camber & (ExtraToe) adjuster Bush Kit #502226 K $480

Up graded Rear Bush kit for the 6 Multi Link Arms #502628 K $480

DHL worldwide $30 one kit(each extra kit $20)

PayPay, Visa M/Card

 

Some feedback on my 500+ miles experience after having the alignment last week. I'm surprised that reducing toe-in by less than 1/2 degree can make such a (subjective) difference. First the crabbing, it's significantly improved! When backing out of the garage and moving down the drive there's only a slight jolt, much less severe than it used to be, without the loud sound effects. With an outside temp of 55 deg, I took it to the multi-level parking garage where it would previously squeal and bang at each ramp turn, even when the ambient temp was in the 70s ... now there's nothing! This is where it gets really subjective, but on the road it feels more "balanced". Previously the vehicle felt a little sensitive laterally, almost like the on-set of oversteer, now it just feels more stable, without any lateral "twitch". I can understand the dynamics, manufacturers add toe-in to "load" the front tires and provide a crisper turn-in with less understeer in corners. I am surprised that less than 1/2 degree toe-in change can have such an impact ... those super sticky tires maybe part of the reason.

I'm still considering my options on tire replacements. Everyone seems to have their favorites, but there doesn't seem to be any magic solution to longer tire life. I have measured the depth of each tire (3 points across the tread, at the valve stem location) and will monitor every 500 miles or so. I like the idea of changing to the same Conti tread, but with the ContiSeal feature, a few $$ more expensive per tire. This car does 300+ mile trips, through remote and out of the way areas at all times of the day/night and I've always been uncomfortable with only being a can of goop away from being stuck at the side of the road for hours ... I was badly misled by the dealer when I went for the 21 inch option and MB roadside assistance already has one strike against it. I'm hoping I can get the front tires to something over 8,000 miles, then maybe switch them and continue with the rears ... which appear to be wearing less quickly. My depth readings should tell me if the alignment is helping with tire wear.

 

If I’m looking at 21 or 22’s for a summer setup would you say that crazy? I’m concerned after reading this thread.

 

Hi ladies and gentlemen and others. After long and hard thinking I've decided to say goodbye to my continental tires (tyres). I've replaced with DUNLOP
SP SPORT MAXX GT (*) 285/35R21 105Y (designed for BMW, runflat) and DUNLOP SP SPORT MAXX GT (RO1) (255/40R21 102Y. (Designed for Audi, unfortunately not Runflat)
both sizes have same pattern.
I cant be happier... save at least AU$1000. my car drives smoothly, looks more aggressive, less road noise. Haven't driven in wet weather yet.
PM me for referral code if you are in Australia

 

In case of puncture ,do you have spare for the front ?

 

no i dont and never had em. Trusted my MB dealer lol. I always though continentals were runflats. Dealer replaced front ones after 3 monts due to wear, back ones were originals, done about 57k i should buy Patch Kit or something, right? I do have roadside assistance though.
what about you my friend, do you have spare?

 

No I don't but still run the original tire with 7k miles on it . When I change tire ,I will go with regular tire one size up but think of buying a spare .
The new coming GLC 43 2020 will have a optional spare tire so I will get the part # and get one just for peace of mind .

 

That's great idea.. I'll do the same :-) thank you

 

I have a 2019 GLC43 and it came with the 235/40zr21 (front) and 285/35zr21 (rear). Would the Pirelli Scorpion (verde or zero??) 265/40/21 and 295/35/21 work on my wheels as well? My crabbing in northern NJ is bad.

 

I just put Pirelli All-Seasons on my GLC63 to replace the OEM Pirelli summers and it solved my crabbing issue.

 

"Has anyone had the K-Mac bushes fitted to their GLC as it seems to be a reasonable solution? I am more interested in any transmitted noise from the different bush material."

I recently purchased a front and rear set of the K-MAC bushings for my '18 GLC43, but I need to find a competent mechanic in the Pasadena CA area to install them.

The front tires my car were shot at about 9,000 miles, which consisted of 4K in straight line interstate freeway driving, and 5K in daily commuting. I replaced them with the same Contis and had the dealer do a toe adjustment. Now the car has 25K miles. The front tires are wearing better. The back tires still have about 10% tread life remaining.

I'm probably going to replace them soon with a set of the Pirelli Scorpion Zero All Season Plus (+1cm in width to 265 and 295) considering that I will be doing some driving in the snow and off highway (not off road).

 

I bought my 16 GLE 350 4 months ago and after doing less than 3K on it, the front Continental tires are almost all worn out. Is there any warranty on those?

 

The 21” Contisport Contact summer tires on my ‘18 GLC43 were worn out by my first “A” service at 10,000 miles. There was a Continental warranty card in the glove compartment, so I contacted Continental. Their reply was something to the effect: High performance summer tires do not have mileage warranties.

I understand they’d go broke replacing tires for people who routinely drive on a track or otherwise drive super aggressively. However the first 10K on my car consisted of 50% straight line interstate driving and 50% gentle daily commuting.

I also had the dread “crabbing” when making slow speed tight radius turns, no matter the temperature, so I ordered a set of K-Mac bushings thinking they’d solve the premature wear and crabbing.

Anyway, I had the wheels aligned when I replaced the Continentals, and voi-la, no more crabbing, even when the air temperature is in the high 30s. I now have my second 10k on the car and the tires are holding up much better.

 

What brand and size did you replace them ?

 

The same brand and size Continental Contisport Contact summer tires that were supplied on the car when new.

BTW the rear tires have 25k miles and are wearing evenly side to side and I’d guess they’re good for another 5-10k.

 

255/40x21”

 

For the replacement tire set up such as the 265/295s, Are you guys using runflats or standards?
do the standards fit properly on the OEM 21s?
thanks so much for this thread.

 

Yes I would love to know about it too.
I also have the 21 OEM set up and need some All Season tire and was thinking about 265/295 Continental DW6 .
I will buy a spare tire just in case .
I used to have the Conti on my Audi S4 and they are great tire all year around .

 

Can you give an update on the Pirelli tires? How did they work over time? Thanks.

 

Tires still look new. I got an alignment done despite what the installers were telling me as I lowered my GLC using the Lowering Module about a year and a half-ago. No scrubbing, no uneven wearing no noise. I don’t drive often but I am tuned and have bolt-ons, along with being lowered and I am still satisfied with my purchase.

 

I just put Michelin 265/40R21 and 275/40R21 Premier LTX's on my GLC and love them. So much smoother and quieter. Also 60k mileage rating is sweet too.