Spare tire question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 141
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From: San Diego CA
Spare tire question
I pulled out the spare tire on my LT4 this weekend to clean it and the compartment. Needless to say, after 13 years, the compartment was nasty. 
In replacing the spare, I couldn't tighten the compartment bolt all the way because the tire pressed up against the rear frame bar...is that the correct fitting? Seems like an odd design....and probably damages the tire if you tightened too much. I tried adjusting the tire compartment and bolt... What do you guys think?
In replacing the spare, I couldn't tighten the compartment bolt all the way because the tire pressed up against the rear frame bar...is that the correct fitting? Seems like an odd design....and probably damages the tire if you tightened too much. I tried adjusting the tire compartment and bolt... What do you guys think?
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Might not be a good idea. The spare tire is part of the rear collision energy absorption system. If you get hit from behind, the spare tire helps to transfer the energy from the point of impact down to the batwing. It also provides some crush resistance for the gas tank.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 9,933
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From: Peoria Arizona.. Resident Gold Cylon
Might not be a good idea. The spare tire is part of the rear collision energy absorption system. If you get hit from behind, the spare tire helps to transfer the energy from the point of impact down to the batwing. It also provides some crush resistance for the gas tank.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,616
Likes: 5
From: Sandhills of North Carolina
I agree.
The spare tire delete bracket would be nice but you can't find them. I think it's a crap shoot ridng in these cars anyway. A spare tire isn't going to make a whole lot of diffeence if rear ended hard enough to cave in the back of the car.
The spare tire delete bracket would be nice but you can't find them. I think it's a crap shoot ridng in these cars anyway. A spare tire isn't going to make a whole lot of diffeence if rear ended hard enough to cave in the back of the car.
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Le Mans Master
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From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
I pulled out the spare tire on my LT4 this weekend to clean it and the compartment. Needless to say, after 13 years, the compartment was nasty.
In replacing the spare, I couldn't tighten the compartment bolt all the way because the tire pressed up against the rear frame bar...is that the correct fitting? Seems like an odd design....and probably damages the tire if you tightened too much. I tried adjusting the tire compartment and bolt... What do you guys think?
In replacing the spare, I couldn't tighten the compartment bolt all the way because the tire pressed up against the rear frame bar...is that the correct fitting? Seems like an odd design....and probably damages the tire if you tightened too much. I tried adjusting the tire compartment and bolt... What do you guys think?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
Thanks for the comments. I was under the car last night and made sure that the hanging bolt was in its holder. I didn't remove the license plate, but I just shined my flashlight up into the bolt opening. Everything looks fine and aligned, but I still don't understand why the tire doesn't fit between the rear axel and the rear frame rail. It seems crazy that the spare is properly fit pressed against the frame rail. So, are we sure this is the right placement? Maybe I should shoot a pic and post it. Do all of your spares press against the frame rail too?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 9,933
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From: Peoria Arizona.. Resident Gold Cylon
for a standard 8.5 or 9.5 wheel the wheel will just hang lower in the rear tray than the doughnut wheel. Unless you have a ZR-1 and had a flat on one of the rears, then GM gave you a handy bag to put the rear wheel (17X11) into the back of the car and staps to hold it down.
Last edited by Goldcylon; Jul 29, 2009 at 04:48 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 20,974
Likes: 261
to all, many people take out the spare tire, and do not replace with the delete kit, reason being is they can't find one reasonable or they can't make one.
This has been an ongoing debate if the tire was really intended to take up any impact. I am not sure, but in my mind if I get rear ended in this thing, it is toast either way.
This has been an ongoing debate if the tire was really intended to take up any impact. I am not sure, but in my mind if I get rear ended in this thing, it is toast either way.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,759
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I don't see a point in removing the spare tire.
Anyways, is there supposed to be black puddy type goo in the top of the spare tire screw hanger that is behind the license plate? When I cleaned my spare tire, I remove this puddy stuff as I figured the PO had it put in there when he had the car repainted. Then I was looking at a Vette for sale on a car lot, and the tag was removed, and noticed it's tire hanger thing had black puddy on the top like mine.
So, I figured it might of been that way from the factory? I hope it won't hurt anything not having it there.
Anyways, is there supposed to be black puddy type goo in the top of the spare tire screw hanger that is behind the license plate? When I cleaned my spare tire, I remove this puddy stuff as I figured the PO had it put in there when he had the car repainted. Then I was looking at a Vette for sale on a car lot, and the tag was removed, and noticed it's tire hanger thing had black puddy on the top like mine.
So, I figured it might of been that way from the factory? I hope it won't hurt anything not having it there.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 141
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From: San Diego CA
Thanks for the input everyone...I know this is a s--t detail, but I like things to be right.
Cruising
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Spare tire
I'll be keeping my spare tire, it's saved me twice when I had flats a 100 miles from home.
Once about 10pm on a Sat night at the Memphis Airport underground parking garage, not a place you want to hang around even in the day time. And another Sat evening on the road.
Both times if I had not had a spare to limp home on I would have had to be towed to parking lot somewhere, checked into a motel, and waited until Monday to find a new tire. IF I could have got one then.
You could end up stranded for a few days waiting on a new tire to be shipped to you. So I'll be keeping my SPARE tire.
hth
Don
PS: I also carry a couple can of Fix-a-flat and a little compressor.
Along with Good Sam Road Side assistance.
Once about 10pm on a Sat night at the Memphis Airport underground parking garage, not a place you want to hang around even in the day time. And another Sat evening on the road.
Both times if I had not had a spare to limp home on I would have had to be towed to parking lot somewhere, checked into a motel, and waited until Monday to find a new tire. IF I could have got one then.
You could end up stranded for a few days waiting on a new tire to be shipped to you. So I'll be keeping my SPARE tire.
hth
Don
PS: I also carry a couple can of Fix-a-flat and a little compressor.
Along with Good Sam Road Side assistance.