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2020 GLS 450 Front Axel Issue

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Old Feb 11, 2024 | 01:58 PM
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2020 GLS 450 Front Axel Issue

2020 GLS 450 started making a thumping noise (not cracking or popping) from the driver side front axel when making sharp turns at slow speeds. Took it to the dealer a few weeks ago and they determined the axel shaft needed to be replaced. After installing the new axel shaft, the problem was not solved. They are now thinking it’s the from differential. Service advisor said it could be a month or so before the parts come in.

Has anyone had any similar issues? If so, what was the fix?

Vehicle currently has 48.5k miles. Service advisor said they would keep the ticket open until the issue is resolved being that I’m so close to being out of warranty.
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Old Mar 19, 2024 | 07:30 PM
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Originally Posted by Jmac26
2020 GLS 450 started making a thumping noise (not cracking or popping) from the driver side front axel when making sharp turns at slow speeds. Took it to the dealer a few weeks ago and they determined the axel shaft needed to be replaced. After installing the new axel shaft, the problem was not solved. They are now thinking it’s the from differential. Service advisor said it could be a month or so before the parts come in.

Has anyone had any similar issues? If so, what was the fix?

Vehicle currently has 48.5k miles. Service advisor said they would keep the ticket open until the issue is resolved being that I’m so close to being out of warranty.
What was written on the work order?
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Old Mar 20, 2024 | 09:58 AM
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Originally Posted by W205C43PFL
What was written on the work order?
I don’t have the work order, but they tried a couple repair’s before fixing the issue. First they changed the axel shaft, then the front differential before finally figuring out that it was the transfer case.
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Old Mar 20, 2024 | 12:04 PM
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They're just firing the parts cannon. If they're covering it under warranty I wouldn't worry about it. They'll eventually get it right. Little you can do about it.
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Old Mar 20, 2024 | 12:26 PM
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Originally Posted by jkaetz
They're just firing the parts cannon. If they're covering it under warranty I wouldn't worry about it. They'll eventually get it right. Little you can do about it.
Yup, this is correct. The dealership don't know what is the real cause and they are just throwing whatever and see what sticks (fixes the issue).
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Old Mar 20, 2024 | 12:57 PM
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Originally Posted by W205C43PFL
Yup, this is correct. The dealership don't know what is the real cause and they are just throwing whatever and see what sticks (fixes the issue).
I do want to mention that the service writer gives regular updates on where my vehicle is in the process so no complaints there.

One interesting note: everything was covered under warranty, but since replacing the front diff didn’t fix the problem, they took the new part off and replaced it with the old one. I thought that was interesting.
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Old Mar 20, 2024 | 01:30 PM
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Originally Posted by Jmac26
I do want to mention that the service writer gives regular updates on where my vehicle is in the process so no complaints there.

One interesting note: everything was covered under warranty, but since replacing the front diff didn’t fix the problem, they took the new part off and replaced it with the old one. I thought that was interesting.
That indeed is interesting, what was their reasoning?
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Old Mar 20, 2024 | 02:38 PM
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Originally Posted by W205C43PFL
That indeed is interesting, what was their reasoning?
That the part (front diff) was too expensive to just leave on.
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Old Mar 20, 2024 | 03:22 PM
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Originally Posted by W205C43PFL
That indeed is interesting, what was their reasoning?
I'm sure it was less to eat the labor cost and return/restock a good diff rather than eat the cost of the diff without getting reimbursed for it.
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Old Mar 20, 2024 | 03:59 PM
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Originally Posted by jkaetz
I'm sure it was less to eat the labor cost and return/restock a good diff rather than eat the cost of the diff without getting reimbursed for it.
I see, so MB wasn't paying the bills, that was why.
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Old Aug 21, 2024 | 03:13 PM
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Thought I'd supplement this thread with my own experience.

I'm the original owner of a 2020 GLS450 and now at 49k miles (just a gnat's *** from the warranty's end) the dealer is telling me that the front diff has given up the ghost. Exact same symptoms as Jmac26 described: popping sound from while turning at very low speed although I can't be sure it's coming from the front-end and not more centralized (i.e. transfer case). At higher speed I could detect some bearing noise at various points throughout the throttle range.

The dealer says they diagnosed this with the vehicle in the air and could clearly tell the noise was from the front-end. To make matters more interesting, they just happened to have ANOTHER vehicle in the shop with the same symptoms.

So far they have had my GLS for 4 weeks while diagnosing and awaiting the replacement front diff. They think they will have the job done in a few more days, so we shall see if the front diff is actually to blame on my car.
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Old Sep 19, 2024 | 02:23 PM
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Originally Posted by WagenAddict
Thought I'd supplement this thread with my own experience.

I'm the original owner of a 2020 GLS450 and now at 49k miles (just a gnat's *** from the warranty's end) the dealer is telling me that the front diff has given up the ghost. Exact same symptoms as Jmac26 described: popping sound from while turning at very low speed although I can't be sure it's coming from the front-end and not more centralized (i.e. transfer case). At higher speed I could detect some bearing noise at various points throughout the throttle range.

The dealer says they diagnosed this with the vehicle in the air and could clearly tell the noise was from the front-end. To make matters more interesting, they just happened to have ANOTHER vehicle in the shop with the same symptoms.

So far they have had my GLS for 4 weeks while diagnosing and awaiting the replacement front diff. They think they will have the job done in a few more days, so we shall see if the front diff is actually to blame on my car.
Ok, so it's been a month since I posted. Finally got the car back home just 2 days ago after they replaced the front differential. The dealer says they test drove and were confident it was fixed. They even delivered the car to me which is a nice courtesy considering I live 90 minutes away.

Yesterday morning, my wife takes the car for its first drive and it clearly still exhibits the same symptoms as before. So we had it towed back to the dealer and now they are evaluating the transfer case. I can't believe they let this car leave the shop in this condition.

I also got more info about the other vehicle they had in the shop with same symptoms. That car was a GLE63 and the service tech told me that they swapped the front diff but that didn't fix the problem either. Worth noting that I confirmed in EPC that my GLS450 shares the same front diff part number as a GLE63.
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Old Sep 19, 2024 | 03:34 PM
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Originally Posted by WagenAddict
Ok, so it's been a month since I posted. Finally got the car back home just 2 days ago after they replaced the front differential. The dealer says they test drove and were confident it was fixed. They even delivered the car to me which is a nice courtesy considering I live 90 minutes away.

Yesterday morning, my wife takes the car for its first drive and it clearly still exhibits the same symptoms as before. So we had it towed back to the dealer and now they are evaluating the transfer case. I can't believe they let this car leave the shop in this condition.

I also got more info about the other vehicle they had in the shop with same symptoms. That car was a GLE63 and the service tech told me that they swapped the front diff but that didn't fix the problem either. Worth noting that I confirmed in EPC that my GLS450 shares the same front diff part number as a GLE63.
Hmmm, that is frustrating, hopefully the next swap fixes the issue.
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Old Sep 19, 2024 | 03:42 PM
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Originally Posted by WagenAddict
Thought I'd supplement this thread with my own experience.

I'm the original owner of a 2020 GLS450 and now at 49k miles (just a gnat's *** from the warranty's end) the dealer is telling me that the front diff has given up the ghost. Exact same symptoms as Jmac26 described: popping sound from while turning at very low speed although I can't be sure it's coming from the front-end and not more centralized (i.e. transfer case). At higher speed I could detect some bearing noise at various points throughout the throttle range.

The dealer says they diagnosed this with the vehicle in the air and could clearly tell the noise was from the front-end. To make matters more interesting, they just happened to have ANOTHER vehicle in the shop with the same symptoms.

So far they have had my GLS for 4 weeks while diagnosing and awaiting the replacement front diff. They think they will have the job done in a few more days, so we shall see if the front diff is actually to blame on my car.
What did the noise sound like?
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Old Sep 19, 2024 | 09:31 PM
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I have had a similar issue and also had the CV axle replaced. It did not fix it and I need to take it back in. I can also feel it a bit like something is binding.
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Old Sep 19, 2024 | 09:47 PM
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Originally Posted by LeadfootCJ7
I have had a similar issue and also had the CV axle replaced. It did not fix it and I need to take it back in. I can also feel it a bit like something is binding.
Have them look at the transfer case.
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Old Sep 19, 2024 | 10:50 PM
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Originally Posted by Jmac26
What did the noise sound like?
it’s a dull popping or knocking sound while turning. And while braking to a stop I noticed a slight jump.
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Old Nov 8, 2024 | 10:19 AM
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Has anyone found a solution to this problem? We're in the market for a 2021/2022 GLS450 and currently driving a 2020 with ~88K miles. I definitely notice the popping/knocking from the front axle while turning at slow speeds. Thankfully this is a rental car, but it seems like this car is afflicted with the same issue.

It'd be good to know the source of this issue so we can anticipate it with whichever GLS we end up buying.
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Old Nov 10, 2024 | 05:59 PM
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My 2024 GLS had the knocking sound when I brake with on slow speeds or make a stop while turning. The dealership fixed it by replacing the steering coupler.
My service advisor was aware of this problem and he immediately said, we will take care of it. It appears to be an updated part for this issue which they ordered and replaced in a day. Hope this helps.
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Old Nov 12, 2024 | 04:16 PM
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My 2020 is still at the dealer while they try (very slowly) to figure this out. It has been 3 months now. They have tried to replace the front differential, drain/refill transfer case fluid, replace the steering coupler, and the latest attempt involved replacing the front axle CV shaft(s) -- I'm not sure if they tried both sides or just one.
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Old Dec 11, 2024 | 03:25 PM
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Popping solved

So after 120 days at the dealer, my 2020 GLS is back in my possession and the popping noises seem to have been fixed. The solution: new transfer case.
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Old Dec 11, 2024 | 04:07 PM
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Originally Posted by WagenAddict
So after 120 days at the dealer, my 2020 GLS is back in my possession and the popping noises seem to have been fixed. The solution: new transfer case.
Wow broken transfer case already.
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Old Dec 11, 2024 | 04:22 PM
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Originally Posted by W205C43PFL
Wow broken transfer case already.
It should go without saying this GLS has been a grocery-getting, kid hauler with zero off-road time. And i live in Florida so it's not like it even sees snow or ice.
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Old Dec 11, 2024 | 05:39 PM
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Originally Posted by WagenAddict
So after 120 days at the dealer, my 2020 GLS is back in my possession and the popping noises seem to have been fixed. The solution: new transfer case.
That's bad, but good that it's fixed.

What was the cost of the repair? Did you have an Extended Warranty or Service Policy? Mileage?

Unlike you, I abuse my AWD at the track and off road, and I'll be facing a "Keep, with Service Policy or Replace" decision when my warranty expires next March. I'm watching 2020 & 2021 issues as the cars gain miles.

Last edited by mikapen; Dec 11, 2024 at 05:42 PM.
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Old Dec 11, 2024 | 05:52 PM
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Originally Posted by mikapen
That's bad, but good that it's fixed.

What was the cost of the repair? Did you have an Extended Warranty or Service Policy? Mileage?

Unlike you, I abuse my AWD at the track and off road, and I'll be facing a "Keep, with Service Policy or Replace" decision when my warranty expires next March. I'm watching 2020 & 2021 issues as the cars gain miles.
I rolled into the dealer back in August with exactly 50k miles on the odo. To their credit they honored the warranty and I paid nothing. The transfer case can be bought from any of the wholesale dealers for around $4100.

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