SL/R232: Front tyres scrubbing
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2024
Posts: 36
Likes: 12
From: Kent UK
SL55 r232
Front tyres scrubbing
My 23 r232 scrubs its front tyres horrendously when manoeuvring at slow speed. My dealer says this is normal! Anybody have the same experience? Thanks
Member
Joined: Feb 2024
Posts: 90
Likes: 88
2023 SL63 + 2021 Cayenne e-hybrid
Senior Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 293
Likes: 214
From: GA
‘24 Maserati GranTurismo Trofeo;'22 AMG SL55;'23 Porsche Cayenne S Coupe;'13 Porsche Boxster S
If the weather is cold, it is probably the summer tires making noise when turning. This is normal due to the rubber compound hardening below 45 degrees F (7 C).
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,170
Likes: 413
From: Irvine, California
2022 AMG SL63
Are you sure you are not hearing the Ackermann effect along with the rear wheel steering? When I pull out of my driveway and slowly crank the wheel to full lock to get into the street the tires are indeed scrubbing (judder) a bit (not on the fenders mind you) and then as the steering wheel in slowly straightened the scrubbing goes away. Normal.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2024
Posts: 36
Likes: 12
From: Kent UK
SL55 r232
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2024
Posts: 36
Likes: 12
From: Kent UK
SL55 r232
Are you sure you are not hearing the Ackermann effect along with the rear wheel steering? When I pull out of my driveway and slowly crank the wheel to full lock to get into the street the tires are indeed scrubbing (judder) a bit (not on the fenders mind you) and then as the steering wheel in slowly straightened the scrubbing goes away. Normal.
the front end. I’m going to get the front alignment checked.
Trending Topics
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 2,516
Likes: 900
From: DFW
SL63
Normal, at least that’s what my salesman told me. When the tires are cold, I try to avoid turning the wheels anywhere close to the stops. I will instead, make a 3 point turn into a 4 or 5 point turn, just to avoid the tire hopping/clunking.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2024
Posts: 36
Likes: 12
From: Kent UK
SL55 r232
had many “ high performance “ tyres in my many years of car ownership and NEVER experienced anything like this. Some of those cars where also AWD. I don’t accept that this is normal. I’ll get it checked.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 42
Likes: 32
SLS
I too have had many many through the years and only experienced this for the first time on a Porsche GT3 RS few years ago then on many others after that. I suspect this has only started to become more noticeable with more modern rubber compounds. It does feel odd the first couple times it happens but you will eventually find out what we are telling you is correct unless you have someone that doesn’t know what they are doing advise you and start messing with your alignment or sell you some new tires you don’t need. I’m assuming this only happens when it’s fairly cold out and you are turning the front wheels tightly at full lock or almost full lock at very low speed, right?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2024
Posts: 36
Likes: 12
From: Kent UK
SL55 r232
I too have had many many through the years and only experienced this for the first time on a Porsche GT3 RS few years ago then on many others after that. I suspect this has only started to become more noticeable with more modern rubber compounds. It does feel odd the first couple times it happens but you will eventually find out what we are telling you is correct unless you have someone that doesn’t know what they are doing advise you and start messing with your alignment or sell you some new tires you don’t need. I’m assuming this only happens when it’s fairly cold out and you are turning the front wheels tightly at full lock or almost full lock at very low speed, right?
the tyres on the car are Michelin PS4S. I’ve never had them before but have read so many great reviews. Will be interesting to see how long they last.
Last edited by Graeme369; Dec 7, 2024 at 02:36 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 2,516
Likes: 900
From: DFW
SL63
It’s not just AWD. It’s also 4WS. The 4 wheel steering is probably more responsible for the tire hop/crab scrubbing/turn clunking, than the AWD. But both of them together are the root cause.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,170
Likes: 413
From: Irvine, California
2022 AMG SL63
Definitely. The rear wheels turn to opposite angle to help the front get around and that accentuates the angle - hence the scrub/judder etc. It just accentuates the Ackermann effect of the front wheels at different angles as the car turns.
