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I have 1995 Coupe that has been lowered, Example at jacking points their is approximately 4.75 to 5.00 inches. I always thought if I had a flat tire on the road it would be 1-800-AAA for a rollback, As I do not think the spare tire could be removed if it was sitting any lower. So I would like to know if many people have removed there spare tire.
You can always remove the spare. Please realise that the spare is designed as part of your "rear end crash" protection system.
It is also designed for you to be able to change it on the roadside instead of waiting for a tow truck for "20 minutes". Apparently every time I have used a tow truck for any vehicle, their idea of time is vastly different from mine.
What did you do? Lower the car? If so, I agree. If not, I have done it before.
Yes the car was lowered before I got it. The car really sits super low. I have to be very careful pulling into certain elevated driveways or even small dead animals in the road.
I never thought of the spare tire to be used to stop damage in a rear ended.
Thanks
Hawkeye56
The reason for the spare tire, or, if it was a spare tire "delete" car, they installed an aluminum brace to take it's place, was to help keep the fuel tank from being crushed in major rear end collision. And of course the effects of a ruptured fuel tank. If you can find one of the spare tire delete braces, buy it! It was a factory installed item. Good luck, they are fairly rare.
I removed the spare tire and carrier on my 95 years ago and replaced it with the spare tire "delete" "brace". Basically an elongated aluminum box that is a bolt-on. You can see it more clearly in the first pic and see how it runs under the fuel tank. When things are cleaned up in the back you can just see it .... if you are driving behind my car.
Yep, AAA is always in my wallet and aklim is right; if you want a low flatbed like I always insist upon for either of mine you do have to wait sometimes several hours depending on location and time of day. It just kinda goes with the territory but I don't mind. Over the past 15 years and 150K both of my vettes have ridden the flat bed a time or two .... but never for a flat tire LOL.
I believe that I will try to locate a brace, As it is hard to imagine that the spare tire could offer that much protection. Any suggestions on where to locate one?
I have checked with a couple of Corvette salvage yards and no one has heard of such a bracket. Any suggestions?
Thank You
Hawkeye56
That brace falls into the "un-0btainium" category. The factory did not make that many so I believe you are wasting time calling junk yards.
You are better off trying to find someone with that brace, asking for the specs and making it yourself.
As for the spare protective qualities, imaging the force necessary to crush an inflated tire first, then crush the steel rim all after the rear braces completely fail. It provides plenty of protection.
Well I believe you are correct. I will make sure the tire is aired up and leave it as the good folks at Chevrolet had planned.
I want to thank every one for there great input as I always see on this forum.
Thanks
Hawkeye56
That brace falls into the "un-0btainium" category. The factory did not make that many so I believe you are wasting time calling junk yards.
You are better off trying to find someone with that brace, asking for the specs and making it yourself.
As for the spare protective qualities, imaging the force necessary to crush an inflated tire first, then crush the steel rim all after the rear braces completely fail. It provides plenty of protection.
If you're not looking for one, you will probably find one. I was looking for a set of CE wheels and they were difficult to find. Now that I found them, I keep seeing them for sale
If you're not looking for one, you will probably find one. I was looking for a set of CE wheels and they were difficult to find. Now that I found them, I keep seeing them for sale
Congratulations On your find, I never think of e bay, Hardly ever buy anything from them.
another good place is the vette groups on facebook (1 is something like "C4 buy, sell or trade"). I scored the elusive CE wheels and I SCORED a drivers side mirror, in CE silver and the paint was awesome for $40 shipped (most I saw were $80+ and needed paint because of condition & not silver)
Spare Tire
