Mercedes GLC Clonking and juddering on near full steering lock

[st13phil]

Especially as Mercedes wants to keep ignoring this and turn it into a fight.

Sorry to hear that as it doesn't bode well.

While publicity such as that on the Honest John pages may appear helpful, it's a double-edged sword.

The clear difficulty is that if MB stonewall and maintain that there's nothing wrong, someone is going to have to convince a Court that there's a problem that warrants rejection of the car - perhaps as part of a Class Action - which is going to require specialist evidence. This will be both an expensive and a slow process. In the meantime, if sufficient bad publicity is generated, the cars currently owned potentially become unsaleable or of diminished value.

I genuinely hope those dis-satisfied owners get a resolution they're happy with, but unless MB cooperate in that, I fear they'll be in for a long and expensive haul

 

[DRIVER200]

Sorry to hear that as it doesn't bode well.

While publicity such as that on the Honest John pages may appear helpful, it's a double-edged sword.

The clear difficulty is that if MB stonewall and maintain that there's nothing wrong, someone is going to have to convince a Court that there's a problem that warrants rejection of the car - perhaps as part of a Class Action - which is going to require specialist evidence. This will be both an expensive and a slow process. In the meantime, if sufficient bad publicity is generated, the cars currently owned potentially become unsaleable or of diminished value.

I genuinely hope those dis-satisfied owners get a resolution they're happy with, but unless MB cooperate in that, I fear they'll be in for a long and expensive haul

Not sure how the future value of the car will work out as most people buy their new cars through PCP packages with fixed future values so perhaps these people don't need to worry too much. But its worth remembering that there are many cars from other manufacturers that suffer this problem -including Porsche- and as far as I can see their prices have not been affected.

 

[dejongj]

Sorry to hear that as it doesn't bode well.

While publicity such as that on the Honest John pages may appear helpful, it's a double-edged sword.

The clear difficulty is that if MB stonewall and maintain that there's nothing wrong, someone is going to have to convince a Court that there's a problem that warrants rejection of the car - perhaps as part of a Class Action - which is going to require specialist evidence. This will be both an expensive and a slow process. In the meantime, if sufficient bad publicity is generated, the cars currently owned potentially become unsaleable or of diminished value.

I genuinely hope those dis-satisfied owners get a resolution they're happy with, but unless MB cooperate in that, I fear they'll be in for a long and expensive haul

Yes fully agreed on all counts.

I sold my GL to a trade company, with the value it had it was to much hard work to do that privately and I got a fair deal. But they inspected it properly before handing over the cash and weren't willing to compromise. Just imagine driving off my driveway on their test drive and the car does that.They'd refuse to buy it.

I am actually concerned we will end up with an unsaleable car.

I've had enough now of taking it kindly and doing it partnership. Formal notification will be next with the statutory time limit to fix it, otherwise rejection process and going through those motions.

Otherwise sell it on the hottest day of the year

 

[dejongj]

Not sure how the future value of the car will work out as most people buy their new cars through PCP packages with fixed future values so perhaps these people don't need to worry too much. But its worth remembering that there are many cars from other manufacturers that suffer this problem -including Porsche- and as far as I can see their prices have not been affected.

I can just imagine that if they return it and BCA or whoever is used to collect and inspect the car and notice it doing this on the test drive, then and only then it is no longer a characteristic but something broken in the car

 

[Funkyboy]

This was just posted on HJ.

MB have put their boxing gloves on, and ignore an Ombudsman ruling.

Mercedes Dealer Refuses to Accept Ruling of Motor Ombudsman over GLC Crabbing Issue | Motoring News | Honest John

Just read this article. I've followed Honest John for years and he's scrupulously fair. I've never seen him this worked up over an issue. He's now actively encouraging a class action against Mercedes on the GLC and is gathering information. Apparently all dealers agreed to be bound by the ombudsmen when they signed up. He sees this as a test case on the recent enhanced consumer protection laws. I can't see this ending well for Mercedes unless they change their stance.

 

[DRIVER200]

I sold my last three cars back to the original dealership can't imagine what they will say 3 years down the line. Actually on all three occasions they didn't even start the car up let alone test it!!

 

[DRIVER200]

I can just imagine that if they return it and BCA or whoever is used to collect and inspect the car and notice it doing this on the test drive, then and only then it is no longer a characteristic but something broken in the car

As I just said my last 3 cars were sold back to the originating dealership VW/AUDI/AUDI and not once did the dealer even start the engine up!! Guess MB couldn't try and knock down the price re the juddering as that really would start WWIII!!

 

[dejongj]

As I just said my last 3 cars were sold back to the originating dealership VW/AUDI/AUDI and not once did the dealer even start the engine up!! Guess MB couldn't try and knock down the price re the juddering as that really would start WWIII!!

I've never found that original dealership providing a good price. They were nearly £6K below the price of someone advertising to buy any car for my GL that I bought through them. Nissan was fantastic with the old Patrol GR many moons ago, only lost £9K on that one in three years ownership. But funnily enough when we bought our Murano someone enquired about our Patrol that was parked up, so they sold me a Murano and sold my trade in to someone else

But yes it may be the only place left. I don't want to take my chances though. I want a car that doesn't do this.

 

[Jft2118]

Thank you for the replies. However I assume - st13phil - is a Mercedes spy. How can anyone consider that clonking and juddering (ie jumping) is OK in a £43,000 car.

Why should I purchase different new tyres to solve the problem - That is ridiculous - Are you saying that the Mercedes company have decide to put inappropriate tyres on their expensive cars.

It is clearly not acceptable - I believe that st13phil does not have one if these cars a GLC.

I also have the same problem with wheel clunking!
Sounds like something is going break eventually!
I only have 6900 on the clock.
I think Mercedes should do a recall on this!

 

[Jft2118]

I have same problem on my GLC from new !
Only done 6000 miles.
Booked in for repair next week.

 

[trapperjohn]

And the plot thickens, there has to be a right outcome to this. And the right is the customer being right.

Come on Mercedes where is your honour.

 

[mgooda]

I have same problem on my GLC from new ! Only done 6000 miles. Booked in for repair next week.

Actual repair?

Have they said what that entails as there are several members that will be exceptionally interested in that!

 

[tangey]

One assumes the "repair" will be to sell 4 x winter tyres.

 

[flowrider]

I have same problem on my GLC from new !
Only done 6000 miles.
Booked in for repair next week.

You may find it is booked in for MB to look at the issue rather than repair, this has always been my experience with MB, they rarely fix on first visit.

 

[tangey]

A review of a C43 noting skipping of front tyres on lock.

Mercedes-AMG C43 estate: Driven | PistonHeads

Others have had 4Matic Mercs for some time now, RHD markets denied the system due to the forward propshaft previously taking up the space for steering gear. That's now been resolved; should we be glad? The stock 31:69 front-to-rear torque split means it's generally unobtrusive, though our car did suffer from what appeared to be some degree of transmission wind from the front axle in slow-speed manoeuvring on full lock. Odd, given it's meant to be a variable system and you'd expect the diffs to be 'open' in this state. Annoying, given the 'skipping' of the front tyres is sufficiently disturbing to have passengers commenting. Mercedes is looking into this and promises to report back.

Forum talking about A250 knocking on steering lock
http://www.aclassclub.co.uk/forum/a250-wheel-slipping-on-full-lock_topic3384.html

 

[John Jones Jr]

A review of a C43 noting skipping of front tyres on lock.

Mercedes-AMG C43 estate: Driven | PistonHeads

Considering the article is over two months old and no doubt M-B have been aware of the problem prior to that it doesn't bode well. One could conclude it's the front diff or a diff control problem which could be costly to remedy. I was wondering if it is only RHD versions that are affected, that could go a long way to explaining why the fault is there and why M-B haven't sorted it, yet.

 

[wemorgan]

Apologies if these links have already been shared

Mercedes-AMG E43 Estate: Driven | PistonHeads

This owner received a refund
https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=VTT0U8fciR0

 

[hallra]

Mercedes GLC Clonking and juddering on near full steering lock

I have had this problem since new but now the weather is cold and damp or wet the problem is much worse. I have viewed other owners concerns about this phenomena and would like to document my experience.

The car has been with the Mercedes dealership and they have coated the drive shafts with a lubricant to hopefully reduce or remove the problem.

The service manager told me that the clonking noise is from the tyres and another manager told me the car is trying to drive straight ahead (whilst in a turn) and it is the scrubbing of the tyre on the road which is causing the noise and the judder.

The service manager told me the car is safe to drive. However, I'm not so sure.

If I need to turn sharply to avoid a collision I do want the car to turn and avoid the object rather than juddering towards the object.

My wife has said that she would not drive the car until the clonking and juddering was eliminated as it does feel and sound bad when it occurs.

Over the next few days I will check if the lubrication coating has any effect on solving the problem.

I would like to hear the latest situation with regard to all those owners who have the same problem. I.e. is there really a fix or is it a inherent design fault.

John

Hi,

Please take a look at what I've just posted in another thread on this subject, I've just had an accident where the front wheels have just lost grip and the car proceeded onwards into a brick wall...

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/general-discussion/201420-knocking-steering-new-glc-15.html

 

[Rowanlaw]

I've ordered a 220 with 18" wheels for March delivery and I'm fully behind those who are experiencing problems. I'm extremely worried that in March I will be collecting a very expensive motor that exhibits a 'characteristic' that essentially renders the car unfit for purpose. I had three separate test-drives on cold days in December and January and ensured, much to the annoyance of sales staff, that I made repeated full-lock manoeuvres. What I can't understand is that I never experienced any negative 'characteristics'. Many drivers suggest that problems develop after several weeks or months. So what changes? Is it tyre wear? Why are there no reports of test cars being affected? (Sorry if I have overlooked them) There also seems to be some lucky owners who don't experience any negative effects months down the line. Apologies, I'm just trying to make sense of it all having paid a deposit!

 

[BlackC55]

I have experiance of this judder on many many Mercedes from the 90's until now. My C43 (2000) model does it.