Mercedes GLC Clonking and juddering on near full steering lock

[Deleted128943]

New owner as of yesterday with GLC C43 AMG and crabbing

Arrived early - Page 3 - Mercedes GLC Forum

The owner was aware of the problem prior to delivery and appears to be happy to live with it.

The Crabbing season appears to run from around Sept / Oct through to March / April. So at least 6 months and not just the winter months. Having said that, the All Season tyres may reduce the season of jumping & clonking - will have to wait and see.

Tony

Sadly the forces that cause the crabbing will be there all year round....

 

[design4p]

DVSA will be testing the GLC

I am pleased that the DVSA will be testing the GLC in relation to vehicle Safety. See last paragraph.

If they do conclude the juddering and clonking to be a safety issue this will mean Mercedes will have to recall and fit re-designed components.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr Greenhalgh

I acknowledge receipt of your defect report which now has the above reference.

DVSA investigates safety defects within the terms of the Code of Practice on Vehicle Safety Defects (the Code), which has the support of the General Product Safety Regulations 2005 (as amended). Please find attached our initial correspondence in this matter and a copy of the Consumer’s Guide to Vehicle Safety Defects for your information.

The aim being to establish if the defect is a failure due to design and/or construction, which is likely to affect the safe operation of the product without prior warning to the user and may pose a significant risk to the driver, occupants and others. This defect will be common to a number of products that have been sold for use in the United Kingdom. Typical examples of this could be a sudden loss of braking or steering.

Additionally, when investigating concerns, the Vehicle Safety Branch (VSB) have as a base line that the vehicle is being maintained and operated in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations and that the Highway Code is being adhered to.

The file has been assigned to me as I am already investigating similar reports.

Thank you for your email as attached and I note your comments. DVSA will be conducting vehicle testing with the manufacturer in the near future and I will contact you when we have an outcome.


Regards


John Corcoran

Automotive Engineer
Defects Investigations
Vehicle Safety Branch
Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, 1st Floor, Berkeley House, Croydon Street, Bristol BS5 0DA
Tel: 0117 954 2526
Email: [email protected]

 

[DRIVER200]

I am pleased that the DVSA will be testing the GLC in relation to vehicle Safety. See last paragraph.

If they do conclude the juddering and clonking to be a safety issue this will mean Mercedes will have to recall and fit re-designed components.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr Greenhalgh

I acknowledge receipt of your defect report which now has the above reference.

DVSA investigates safety defects within the terms of the Code of Practice on Vehicle Safety Defects (the Code), which has the support of the General Product Safety Regulations 2005 (as amended). Please find attached our initial correspondence in this matter and a copy of the Consumer’s Guide to Vehicle Safety Defects for your information.

The aim being to establish if the defect is a failure due to design and/or construction, which is likely to affect the safe operation of the product without prior warning to the user and may pose a significant risk to the driver, occupants and others. This defect will be common to a number of products that have been sold for use in the United Kingdom. Typical examples of this could be a sudden loss of braking or steering.

Additionally, when investigating concerns, the Vehicle Safety Branch (VSB) have as a base line that the vehicle is being maintained and operated in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations and that the Highway Code is being adhered to.

The file has been assigned to me as I am already investigating similar reports.

Thank you for your email as attached and I note your comments. DVSA will be conducting vehicle testing with the manufacturer in the near future and I will contact you when we have an outcome.


Regards


John Corcoran

Automotive Engineer
Defects Investigations
Vehicle Safety Branch
Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, 1st Floor, Berkeley House, Croydon Street, Bristol BS5 0DA
Tel: 0117 954 2526
Email: [email protected]

Well I think the DVSA will have the last word on this. Fingers crossed as if they don't accept it's a safety issue then that's it. Just take your AW tyres and live with it.

 

[DRIVER200]

I am pleased that the DVSA will be testing the GLC in relation to vehicle Safety. See last paragraph.

If they do conclude the juddering and clonking to be a safety issue this will mean Mercedes will have to recall and fit re-designed components.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr Greenhalgh

I acknowledge receipt of your defect report which now has the above reference.

DVSA investigates safety defects within the terms of the Code of Practice on Vehicle Safety Defects (the Code), which has the support of the General Product Safety Regulations 2005 (as amended). Please find attached our initial correspondence in this matter and a copy of the Consumer’s Guide to Vehicle Safety Defects for your information.

The aim being to establish if the defect is a failure due to design and/or construction, which is likely to affect the safe operation of the product without prior warning to the user and may pose a significant risk to the driver, occupants and others. This defect will be common to a number of products that have been sold for use in the United Kingdom. Typical examples of this could be a sudden loss of braking or steering.

Additionally, when investigating concerns, the Vehicle Safety Branch (VSB) have as a base line that the vehicle is being maintained and operated in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations and that the Highway Code is being adhered to.

The file has been assigned to me as I am already investigating similar reports.

Thank you for your email as attached and I note your comments. DVSA will be conducting vehicle testing with the manufacturer in the near future and I will contact you when we have an outcome.


Regards


John Corcoran

Automotive Engineer
Defects Investigations
Vehicle Safety Branch
Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, 1st Floor, Berkeley House, Croydon Street, Bristol BS5 0DA
Tel: 0117 954 2526
Email: [email protected]

Will the DVSA actually test vehicles with both Summer and AW tyre's as this will clearly make a difference?

 

[hallra]

I am pleased that the DVSA will be testing the GLC in relation to vehicle Safety. See last paragraph.

If they do conclude the juddering and clonking to be a safety issue this will mean Mercedes will have to recall and fit re-designed components.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr Greenhalgh

I acknowledge receipt of your defect report which now has the above reference.

DVSA investigates safety defects within the terms of the Code of Practice on Vehicle Safety Defects (the Code), which has the support of the General Product Safety Regulations 2005 (as amended). Please find attached our initial correspondence in this matter and a copy of the Consumer’s Guide to Vehicle Safety Defects for your information.

The aim being to establish if the defect is a failure due to design and/or construction, which is likely to affect the safe operation of the product without prior warning to the user and may pose a significant risk to the driver, occupants and others. This defect will be common to a number of products that have been sold for use in the United Kingdom. Typical examples of this could be a sudden loss of braking or steering.

Additionally, when investigating concerns, the Vehicle Safety Branch (VSB) have as a base line that the vehicle is being maintained and operated in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations and that the Highway Code is being adhered to.

The file has been assigned to me as I am already investigating similar reports.

Thank you for your email as attached and I note your comments. DVSA will be conducting vehicle testing with the manufacturer in the near future and I will contact you when we have an outcome.


Regards


John Corcoran

Automotive Engineer
Defects Investigations
Vehicle Safety Branch
Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, 1st Floor, Berkeley House, Croydon Street, Bristol BS5 0DA
Tel: 0117 954 2526
Email: [email protected]

That's interesting, the DVSA report I submitted is with the same engineer.

 

[st13phil]

Will the DVSA actually test vehicles with both Summer and AW tyre's as this will clearly make a difference?

I think the more salient questions are will they test vehicles on part worn summer tyres in colder / wet conditions, and whether or not the manufacturer's recommendation to fit winter tyres when temperatures are low will be considered relevant to their deliberations?

 

[hallra]

I think the more salient questions are will they test vehicles on part worn summer tyres in colder / wet conditions, and whether or not the manufacturer's recommendation to fit winter tyres when temperatures are low will be considered relevant to their deliberations?

The posts today have reminded me to write to the DVSA engineer, to ask him to make sure all possible scenarios have been tested:

Different road surface types
Degrees of wetness
Different temperatures
Levelness of road/gradients/undulating

And all combinations, as from my experience, its when a certain level of traction is lost caused by one or more that crabbing occurs.

Can anyone think of anything I missed in the list?

 

[markjay]

....DVSA investigates safety defects.... Typical examples of this could be a sudden loss of braking or steering...

No doubt MB will attempt to nip it in the bud by trying to convince the DVSA that this is not a safety issue, but a 'comfort' issue, and should therefor not be investigated by them.

If so, then it will be interesting to see DVSA decision on this issue.

Because regardless of what their investigation ultimately finds, if the DVSA agree to investigate this complaint in the first place then they will be accepting that 'crabbing' at low speed is indeed a safety issue, which in itself an important step for owners looking for a resolution.

 

[grober]

https://www.gov.uk/government/publi...afety-defects-and-recalls-vehicle-aftermarket

 

[Tim203]

I'm already eagerly anticipating the threads concerning premature drive train failure and cv joints!
Funny how MB manage to make cars with such amazing shortcomings and yet people can't wait to go back and have their pants pulled down on another new one.

 

[DRIVER200]

No doubt MB will attempt to nip it in the bud by trying to convince the DVSA that this is not a safety issue, but a 'comfort' issue, and should therefor not be investigated by them.

If so, then it will be interesting to see DVSA decision on this issue.

Because regardless of what their investigation ultimately finds, if the DVSA agree to investigate this complaint in the first place then they will be accepting that 'crabbing' at low speed is indeed a safety issue, which in itself an important step for owners looking for a resolution.

Any idea how long this process will take?

 

[grober]

https://www.gov.uk/government/publi...afety-defects-and-recalls-vehicle-aftermarket

Unfortunately in terms of the code of practice defined in the above document I doubt it will merit a safety recall. What might be applicable would be a

Non-code action – This is a proactive and proportionate action registered with DVSA, which falls outside the scope of a safety recall. The issue may affect the long-term safety of the product or its ability to satisfy legislative requirements.

if it was judged the phenomenon in question would have a long term deleterious effect on say the front suspension and steering components or cause unacceptable tyre wear/damage?

 

[DRIVER200]

https://www.gov.uk/government/publi...afety-defects-and-recalls-vehicle-aftermarket

Unfortunately in terms of the code of practice defined in the above document I doubt it will merit a safety recall. What might be applicable would be a

Non-code action – This is a proactive and proportionate action registered with DVSA, which falls outside the scope of a safety recall. The issue may affect the long-term safety of the product or its ability to satisfy legislative requirements.

if it was judged the phenomenon in question would have a long term deleterious effect on say the front suspension and steering components or cause unacceptable tyre wear/damage?

Overall assume this new chapter with the DVSA is good news for owners or not as once the legal eagles get involved it could take years?

 

[Deleted128943]

Today whilst turning sharp right off a main road in my GLC Coupe I hit a light patch of gravel and the front wheels jumped. This wasn't just a skid on gravel it felt completely different, I suspect the resultant forces of the crabbing issue were released in one go rather than gradually when driving in full lock slower. Either way it was disconcerting to say the least and it ain't normal....

 

[DRIVER200]

Today whilst turning sharp right off a main road in my GLC Coupe I hit a light patch of gravel and the front wheels jumped. This wasn't just a skid on gravel it felt completely different, I suspect the resultant forces of the crabbing issue were released in one go rather than gradually when driving in full lock slower. Either way it was disconcerting to say the least and it ain't normal....

Will be interesting to see what DVSA think about this as no doubt when they do their comprehensive testing this will be picked up.

 

[dejongj]

Today whilst turning sharp right off a main road in my GLC Coupe I hit a light patch of gravel and the front wheels jumped. This wasn't just a skid on gravel it felt completely different, I suspect the resultant forces of the crabbing issue were released in one go rather than gradually when driving in full lock slower. Either way it was disconcerting to say the least and it ain't normal....

I've had this on a tarmac road as well quite regularly. The worst is getting out of the car park at Richer Sounds in Watford, the car visibly jumps to the left towards the wall. As I've now done it three times I have to compensate by getting super close on the other side.

It is a ridiculous situations.

 

[dejongj]

it is also funny to see how Mercedes Crabbing keeps on receiving Yes votes from lets say suspicious locations It has been monitored for a long time, but sufficient evidence is being collated to proof a point for those who proceed with legal action. Absolutely pathetic that some seem to be hell-bent on ignoring and avoiding opposed to actually rectifying it....

For obvious reasons I will not post personally identifiable details on here....

 

[DRIVER200]

it is also funny to see how Mercedes Crabbing keeps on receiving Yes votes from lets say suspicious locations It has been monitored for a long time, but sufficient evidence is being collated to proof a point for those who proceed with legal action. Absolutely pathetic that some seem to be hell-bent on ignoring and avoiding opposed to actually rectifying it....

For obvious reasons I will not post personally identifiable details on here....

dejongj: What's your view on the DVSA involvement?

 

[Deleted member 6183]

it is also funny to see how Mercedes Crabbing keeps on receiving Yes votes from lets say suspicious locations It has been monitored for a long time, but sufficient evidence is being collated to proof a point for those who proceed with legal action. Absolutely pathetic that some seem to be hell-bent on ignoring and avoiding opposed to actually rectifying it....

For obvious reasons I will not post personally identifiable details on here....

How do you mean?

 

[dejongj]

dejongj: What's your view on the DVSA involvement?

I think it is good. It is good to see they are taking it seriously. They've been involved for a long time. As I understand it; originally they weren't too interested in the excessive tyre wear as it is something visible to see. But through conversations it became clear they actually to connect the dots and they were receiving hundreds of complaints from GLC owners and got concerned that there is more to this than meets the eye. Well that is my interpretation of it.

How do you mean?

Exactly as I wrote. I'm not making accusations in public as that would open me and those carrying my message to legal intervention. But just have a think......and lets leave it to that....