I follow the same procedure.
Spare tire needed?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 623
Likes: 0
From: BGM NY
Spare tire needed?
Want to take my spare tire out on my 91 Conv. I have 275's in the front and 315's in the rear. I have a can of fix a flat. Is there any neg or pos to removing the spare tire and cover?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,564
Likes: 6
From: Woodstock Georgia
I am running about same tires as you are. Spare tire is added weight and ugly (IMO) so I took mine out about yr ago. Looks better and saves weight. Negative is if you get rear ended the spare tire serves to protect you as it is driven forward into the diff assembly to absorb the impact. I am not worried about that (might be stupid, oh well). I don't carry fix a flat, I carry AAA full coverage, including towing up to 100 miles and have a 285/40 in the barn should I need it.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
The factory spare tire is part of the rear end collision absorbtion system and is as such considered to be a safety item. The tire sitting in the carrier is angled slightly downwards so that a rear impact will push the collision forces down below the fuel tank and into the differential.
When Corvette offered a run-flat option in the 96 car, the engineers built an H-shaped bracket made from aluminum that took the place of the spare for collison absorbtion. The spare tire and carrier weight about 30 pounds so it really isn't a lot.
A AAA Card is about the best thing to have if you pull the spare tire. A 315/35 tire and 11" wide wheel will not fit in the carrier anyway if you have one of those go flat.
When Corvette offered a run-flat option in the 96 car, the engineers built an H-shaped bracket made from aluminum that took the place of the spare for collison absorbtion. The spare tire and carrier weight about 30 pounds so it really isn't a lot.
A AAA Card is about the best thing to have if you pull the spare tire. A 315/35 tire and 11" wide wheel will not fit in the carrier anyway if you have one of those go flat.
CF JASOC Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,040
Likes: 34
From: Downtown Annapolis, MD. The Future is where we all have to live. Let's not screw it up.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
The factory spare tire is part of the rear end collision absorbtion system and is as such considered to be a safety item. The tire sitting in the carrier is angled slightly downwards so that a rear impact will push the collision forces down below the fuel tank and into the differential.
When Corvette offered a run-flat option in the 96 car, the engineers built an H-shaped bracket made from aluminum that took the place of the spare for collison absorbtion. The spare tire and carrier weight about 30 pounds so it really isn't a lot.
When Corvette offered a run-flat option in the 96 car, the engineers built an H-shaped bracket made from aluminum that took the place of the spare for collison absorbtion. The spare tire and carrier weight about 30 pounds so it really isn't a lot.
That's why I keep my spare in good condition and check it at least every other month or so.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,413
Likes: 9
From: The Old Dominion
Just keep a big trash bag in your car. Put the wheel in it, and drop it in the storage compartment. The bag keeps the tire from crapping up the car. This is basically what ZR-1's have, along with some tie-down straps so if you are in a wreck, the tire won't kill you.
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