Spare Tire Holder
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Spare Tire Holder
Have a 69' coupe I'm restoring and was missing the spare tire tub, spare itself and hardware. After getting all the pieces installed I put the spare tire in and the tub won't close. It appears the tire is too wide even though its the correct tire size and rim. Did the 69 have a smaller width tire for a spare? Any insight would be appreciated.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 892
Likes: 0
From: GA
Hi,
I looked this up in a few parts suppliers. All the spare tire carriers (upper and lower) pieces are the listed the same for 68-79. When you say it doesn't close, do you mean at all? Mine doesn't close all the way. There is a gap toward the back... if memory serves me correctly. Can you put the bolt through the "Y" strap? Did you try to close it without the tire and see? Not being smart *** here... just trying to help....
I looked this up in a few parts suppliers. All the spare tire carriers (upper and lower) pieces are the listed the same for 68-79. When you say it doesn't close, do you mean at all? Mine doesn't close all the way. There is a gap toward the back... if memory serves me correctly. Can you put the bolt through the "Y" strap? Did you try to close it without the tire and see? Not being smart *** here... just trying to help....
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,652
Likes: 80
From: Lakeland Florida
If the tire fits in the spare tire carrier, then it should be able to close.
One thing to consider is the long bolt that hangs under the license plate and connects to the bottom spare tire carrier. Check that this is screwed all the way out, or down. You should have a lot of clearance. Since you recently installed the spare tire carrier you may not have the correct position on that bolt. If it is screwed all the way to the top, you will not have enough distance to slip the bolt through the groove/split in the carrier.
kdf
One thing to consider is the long bolt that hangs under the license plate and connects to the bottom spare tire carrier. Check that this is screwed all the way out, or down. You should have a lot of clearance. Since you recently installed the spare tire carrier you may not have the correct position on that bolt. If it is screwed all the way to the top, you will not have enough distance to slip the bolt through the groove/split in the carrier.
kdf
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
what do you mean close? the tub should be able to latch up front, there is lots of adjustment in those bolts....but don't think that the tub will totally enclose the tire....so don't be surprised if the back part is showing more of the spare tire.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,253
Likes: 1
From: Rochester Kent
Originally Posted by bobs77vet
what do you mean close? the tub should be able to latch up front, there is lots of adjustment in those bolts....but don't think that the tub will totally enclose the tire....so don't be surprised if the back part is showing more of the spare tire.
when closed it will still show some of the tire, it just pulls up on the bolt. 
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
When I say close I can only get the tire/tub up about half way. Its not even close to being closed. I was looking over the replies and was wondering, do the two forward bolts in the "Y" frame screw all the way into the frame? I'm thinking if I backed them out an inch or so it may fit. But since they should have lock washers that didn't seem to make sense so didn't think more on it. Without the tire in the tub it closes just fine. Thought maybe the tub was different say for a 68 (narrower tire) but I see the reply that its the same as the 69.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
Originally Posted by VA_Vette
When I say close I can only get the tire/tub up about half way. Its not even close to being closed. I was looking over the replies and was wondering, do the two forward bolts in the "Y" frame screw all the way into the frame? I'm thinking if I backed them out an inch or so it may fit. But since they should have lock washers that didn't seem to make sense so didn't think more on it. Without the tire in the tub it closes just fine. Thought maybe the tub was different say for a 68 (narrower tire) but I see the reply that its the same as the 69.
Last edited by bobs77vet; Jun 1, 2005 at 11:26 AM.
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Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Threading the bolts all the way in is probably the problem then. I try adding the nut and the 3/4 - 1" thread-in, I'm guessing that'll fix it. I'll check to see if the bolt is correct but I'm pretty sure it is. Thanks all for the help - seems its the simple stuff...
