Spare tire lock remove
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 4,355
Likes: 2,633
From: Draper Utah
Just a quick update... Thanks to this thread it took me about 10 minutes of screwing around with the dental tool to pop the spare tire lock.
The tire I found was a flat Goodyear Polyglas GT G60-15. I'm pretty sure the tire had not been checked since at least 1986, because from the cars records I know the door locks were replaced that year.
The car is fun to work on when everything goes according to plan, which seldom seems to happen. Thanks again for the help in this thread.
The tire I found was a flat Goodyear Polyglas GT G60-15. I'm pretty sure the tire had not been checked since at least 1986, because from the cars records I know the door locks were replaced that year.
The car is fun to work on when everything goes according to plan, which seldom seems to happen. Thanks again for the help in this thread.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 364
Likes: 39
From: Sebastian FL
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 3,734
Likes: 299
From: Way too effing close to the city.......NRA Life Member!
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I was going to change the differential fluid in my 1976 C3 today but got stopped at the lock on the carrier bolt. I didn't want to make a move before I was sure of what I was doing....LOL!
Is the key for this either the door or the ignition key or is it another type key? Any photos of what the key looks like if it's not one of the two GM keys? If it's another key, I will have to have my cousin's widow see if she can find it. I tried the two GM keys and another that she said was for the locking gas cap(which it didn't have) and none of them worked so far but it is really hard to see under there. I want to keep it as stock as possible. Any other pics, links or info will be appreciated!
Is the key for this either the door or the ignition key or is it another type key? Any photos of what the key looks like if it's not one of the two GM keys? If it's another key, I will have to have my cousin's widow see if she can find it. I tried the two GM keys and another that she said was for the locking gas cap(which it didn't have) and none of them worked so far but it is really hard to see under there. I want to keep it as stock as possible. Any other pics, links or info will be appreciated!
Last edited by OLE442; Oct 8, 2016 at 05:20 PM. Reason: added year
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,237
Likes: 4,328
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi O,
Here's an instance when knowing the year of the car bears on the reply. (at least put it in your profile).
Generally the 'second key' that opened the glove box lock opened the spare tire lock. It's shape depends on the year of the car.
Regards,
Alan
Here's a set from my 71 (typical for 70-72?).
Rectangular key for doors and ignition and oval key for glove box lock and spare tire lock.
Here's an instance when knowing the year of the car bears on the reply. (at least put it in your profile).
Generally the 'second key' that opened the glove box lock opened the spare tire lock. It's shape depends on the year of the car.
Regards,
Alan
Here's a set from my 71 (typical for 70-72?).
Rectangular key for doors and ignition and oval key for glove box lock and spare tire lock.
Last edited by Alan 71; Oct 8, 2016 at 05:28 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,753
From: Charlotte NC
You do not need to mess with the spare tire carrier to deal with rear differential fluid....just 'saying'. I never have to do anything to the spare tire carrier when I deal with the rear differential.
DUB
DUB
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 3,734
Likes: 299
From: Way too effing close to the city.......NRA Life Member!
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
But I would still like to be able to remove the spare tire. And besides, at 6'2", 285 and being old, I need all the space I can get. Not like when I was 28 and relatively small in comparison....LOL!
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Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 3,734
Likes: 299
From: Way too effing close to the city.......NRA Life Member!
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
On my 1976, the rectangle is the ignition key and the oval is the door , the alarm and the locking compartment behind the seats. I'll bet its the oval for the tire lock! I'll try it shortly. Maybe some WD-40 first!!
Hi O,
Here's an instance when knowing the year of the car bears on the reply. (at least put it in your profile).
Generally the 'second key' that opened the glove box lock opened the spare tire lock. It's shape depends on the year of the car.
Regards,
Alan
Here's a set from my 71 (typical for 70-72?).
Rectangular key for doors and ignition and oval key for glove box lock and spare tire lock.
Here's an instance when knowing the year of the car bears on the reply. (at least put it in your profile).
Generally the 'second key' that opened the glove box lock opened the spare tire lock. It's shape depends on the year of the car.
Regards,
Alan
Here's a set from my 71 (typical for 70-72?).
Rectangular key for doors and ignition and oval key for glove box lock and spare tire lock.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 205
Likes: 20
Plenty of room for a guy like me and did not remove the spare tire
Plenty of room for a guy like me and did not remove the spare tire.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 3,734
Likes: 299
From: Way too effing close to the city.......NRA Life Member!
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
1974CorvetteJimCr:
Very nice 74 brother. I always have heard not to jack the Vette up under the differential? Is that bad information.......this is kinda like when I owned an 86 Fiero GT......there are things on these that are different from a regular car and I'm trying not to make any mistakes...LOL
I got my lock off with all the good advice and it now works with the oval key. I dropped the spare tire and the carrier and I can access the filler hole on the differential. The spare is a Firestone 721 STEEL BELTED RADIAL and I would suspect is the original. Looks pretty nice with no dry rot. It has zero tire pressure so I filled it back up. Once the rear end fluids are changed, I will put the carrier and spare back up there after a good cleaning. All the bolts were very easy on my 48,000 mile 76.
Thanks for all the info on this one.
Very nice 74 brother. I always have heard not to jack the Vette up under the differential? Is that bad information.......this is kinda like when I owned an 86 Fiero GT......there are things on these that are different from a regular car and I'm trying not to make any mistakes...LOL
I got my lock off with all the good advice and it now works with the oval key. I dropped the spare tire and the carrier and I can access the filler hole on the differential. The spare is a Firestone 721 STEEL BELTED RADIAL and I would suspect is the original. Looks pretty nice with no dry rot. It has zero tire pressure so I filled it back up. Once the rear end fluids are changed, I will put the carrier and spare back up there after a good cleaning. All the bolts were very easy on my 48,000 mile 76.
Thanks for all the info on this one.
Last edited by OLE442; Oct 9, 2016 at 08:16 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 224
From: Pawleys Island, SC
This thread reminds me of another embarrassing lesson I learned about my '77 20+ years ago shortly after i got it. I was driving around on the original Firestone 721's, dumb I know, and one came apart on the highway. When I tried to get the spare down and realized there was a lock, I looked for a separate key on the ring. Never dawned on me to try the door key. Got a ride home, brought back tools, and unbolted the entire spare tire carrier. Later I actually checked the manual. One of those 'hit your forehead with the palm of your hand' moments.
And don't drive ANYWHERE on that Firestone 721!
And don't drive ANYWHERE on that Firestone 721!
Last edited by revitup; Oct 9, 2016 at 08:23 PM.
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,981
Likes: 6,207
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
I was going to change the differential fluid in my 1976 C3 today but got stopped at the lock on the carrier bolt. I didn't want to make a move before I was sure of what I was doing....LOL!
Is the key for this either the door or the ignition key or is it another type key? Any photos of what the key looks like if it's not one of the two GM keys? If it's another key, I will have to have my cousin's widow see if she can find it. I tried the two GM keys and another that she said was for the locking gas cap(which it didn't have) and none of them worked so far but it is really hard to see under there. I want to keep it as stock as possible. Any other pics, links or info will be appreciated!
Is the key for this either the door or the ignition key or is it another type key? Any photos of what the key looks like if it's not one of the two GM keys? If it's another key, I will have to have my cousin's widow see if she can find it. I tried the two GM keys and another that she said was for the locking gas cap(which it didn't have) and none of them worked so far but it is really hard to see under there. I want to keep it as stock as possible. Any other pics, links or info will be appreciated!
Last edited by vettebuyer6369; Oct 9, 2016 at 08:40 PM.
