How do you remove the spare tire?
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Apex NC
How do you remove the spare tire?
I'm trying to remove the spare tire on a 71 coupe. Not real sure just how it comes off. Any tips greatly appreciated. I was told there may be a packet of information on top of the original gas tank that would have details specific to this vette and I would have better access if the spare was removed. Also I noticed a place for a key to be inserted that is under the rear bumper on the drivers side could this be an alarm system? Thanks in advance.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Once lock is removed, use jack/lug wrench to loosen the hex head bolt that is under the lock. Then take the other end of the jack handle and stick it in the square hole on the lower part of the tub. Use the handle to leverage the tub up and off of that retainer bolt and lower the tire and lower tub to the ground. Now you can take the tire out of the tub.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,204
Likes: 4,187
From: Kannapolis NC
But you've still got a long way to go to get to the build sheet. If you don't know how to lower the spare, you really should get some knowledgable help to get above the gas tank to the build sheet.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
After nearly 40 years, it may no longer be there, or what you find might be incomplete or illegible. Personally, it's not worth the time and effort to drop the fuel tank to find out.
Owner's manual shows you how to lower the spare tub.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 482
Likes: 23
If you are only interested in the build sheet I would recommend pulling to the side the rubber "boot" (not sure what it is called) around your gas cap. You will be able to look at the top of your gas tank with a good flaslight and see if anything is left of the sheet. The locations are pretty much the same as Mike's picture (which shows the rubber boot also) above.
It is tight but would save you the trouble of taking out your tank.
It is tight but would save you the trouble of taking out your tank.
