My Missing Spare Tire...

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Jul 21, 2009 | 06:46 PM

TIE_Pilot

Thread Starter

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Joined: May 2007

Posts: 63

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From: San Diego CA

My Missing Spare Tire...

I've never had one, and since I eventually hope to actually drive the car some place

- I'm going to need something. Any thoughts? Part of me says I won't be going far from home so it's not that important, but part of me says "be prepared" and "better safe than sorry"...

What will fit? Are there any newer-car donuts that I could use instead of a full-sized wheel/tire?

Jul 21, 2009 | 07:24 PM

wer2xu

Burning Brakes

Joined: May 2008

Posts: 1,165

Likes: 24

From: Boston MA

just buy a steel wheel and tire, that will be cheap, no trim ring or center cap. probably find a wheel on ebay for less then 50 bucks, and a new tire is ~80 bucks.

Jul 21, 2009 | 07:32 PM

mikep3

Burning Brakes

Joined: Dec 2005

Posts: 992

Likes: 56

From: Baldwinsville, NY

I dropped the hole spare tire assembly and put it into storage.
Hope new tires, can of tire inflato and AAA card works.
Don't drive on the shoulder of the road or over stuff in the road.

Drive it and have fun.

Jul 21, 2009 | 07:46 PM

jimo

Drifting

Joined: Apr 2009

Posts: 1,345

Likes: 0

From: Melbourne Australia

Better safe then sorry!!

ive had a flat before, and was stranded with no spare!! not a good situation to be in!!

Jim

Jul 21, 2009 | 07:54 PM

mds3013

Melting Slicks

Joined: Mar 2009

Posts: 3,126

Likes: 15

I found a used factory aluminum wheel and used Radial TA tire at a 24 hr. tire store. Cost $50.00. Check those in your area. I think tire size is 235/70-15. mds...

Jul 21, 2009 | 08:05 PM

Attfay Elleybay

Burning Brakes

Joined: Jul 2006

Posts: 1,108

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From: Sebastian Florida

The spare needs to be as tall as the rear tires (doesn't have to be as wide).
You can mess up the rearend if the back tires are different sizes.

Jul 22, 2009 | 08:06 AM

markdtn

Le Mans Master

Joined: Aug 2003

Posts: 7,720

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From: Chattanooga TN

You can use a donut spare. I have 1 from a C4 but 3rd and 4th gen Camaro/Firebird would also work.

Jul 22, 2009 | 02:24 PM

TIE_Pilot

Thread Starter

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Joined: May 2007

Posts: 63

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From: San Diego CA

Does matching sizes for the spare matter even for short distances only and with an open rear differential?

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Jul 22, 2009 | 02:52 PM

bashcraft

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jan 2006

Posts: 6,505

Likes: 139

From: Butler Pa

Quote:

Originally Posted by TIE_Pilot

Does matching sizes for the spare matter even for short distances only and with an open rear differential?

I doubt that you have an open rear end, but short distances and low speeds won't hurt the rear end.

Jul 22, 2009 | 03:59 PM

#10

7T1vette

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From: Crossville TN

Jul 22, 2009 | 05:16 PM

#11

JimT

Burning Brakes

Joined: Nov 2006

Posts: 893

Likes: 7

From: Orange Park Florida

I removed the spare tire, put the spare tub (repainted it) back on and have been driving it this way for four years. I drive carefully and never run over anything. I also have AAA.

Jul 22, 2009 | 05:25 PM

#12

73 454 vette

Instructor

Joined: Jul 2009

Posts: 117

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From: poughkeepsie ny

discounttire.com sells aftermarket rims in the stock size for 57 bucks shipped. add some rubber and for like 100 bucks have a good current production rim and tire