'Crabbing' on a CLA

[Ron240]

I have heard the term 'crabbing' in relation to Mercedes 4matic cars but never really understood what it was.
Whenever I seen the problem mentioned it seemed to only affect C43 models with run flat tyres but only in low temperatures.

Last night after being parked for over 6 hours I was pulling out very slowly from the kerb in my CLA 35 on almost full right lock and the car seemed to briefly hesitate, then it felt like the wheel slipped together with a low pitched thumping noise.
I had a look online and found youtube videos from ABAUTO where he demonstrates what crabbing is, and it seems identical to what I experienced.
He cured the problem on his C 43 by fitting Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres.
Now my car has standard fit Pilot Sport 4S tyres and I experienced this problem for the very first time (happened once only) last night with the temperature at 6.5 degrees C.

It gave me a bit of a fright when it happened so I will be watching for it in future and hoping it doesnt get worse.

 

[Blobcat]

It’s an issue on pretty much all right hand drive 4-magic Mercedes. Softer tyres and warmer temperatures is Mercedes idea of a fix

 

[LostKiwi]

It’s an issue on pretty much all right hand drive 4-magic Mercedes. Softer tyres and warmer temperatures is Mercedes idea of a fix

Not an issue on my 4-matic R Class...

It tends to be an issue on smaller 4wd Mercedes. The issue being the car is designed for LHD and in the conversion to RHD they had to alter the steering geometry. Unfortunately they messed it up on high angles of steering lock.