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run flat vs spare

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Old Dec 22, 2011 | 09:16 AM
  #1  
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Default run flat vs spare

Howdy guys, Im really a C3 guy but have a buddy with a tire problem. He actually has an SSR. The run flats for his ride have been discontinued. He wants to stay with those but cant. SO, 1. Know where we can find some 19" AND 20" runflats? OR 2. Where can we find a spare that will work. He has 19" on front and 20" on back. Quick searches dont turn up any donut type spares in 20", but maybe a 17 or 18 might work if total overall diameter is ok. That is the question then, know what donut might work to get the correct overall diameter??
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Old Dec 22, 2011 | 09:31 AM
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The immediate issue he will have is that the SSR's use a truck's 6 lug pattern, so my solution will require wheel adapters.

Using hub centric wheel adapters, he can purchase the Cadillac CTS mini spare which is a 18" unit.

2006 CHEVROLET_TRUCK SSR
Your Bolt Pattern: 6x127mm
Your Hub Diameter: 78.3mm


2009 CADILLAC CTS
Your Bolt Pattern: 5x120mm
Your Hub Diameter: 66.9mm
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Old Dec 22, 2011 | 09:49 AM
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I'd get a road-side spare kit.

In my wife's XLR-V and my C6 I keep a slime smart-spair kit

The XLR-V gets this one...



I actually keep this one in my vette since my rear tires are so much larger (345s)


Last edited by FloydSummerOf68; Dec 22, 2011 at 09:52 AM.
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Old Dec 22, 2011 | 03:32 PM
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Dis he check with Tire Rack online, to see if anyone makes runflats in his size?
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Old Dec 22, 2011 | 06:50 PM
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Your friend will need 2 spares, one equal to front tire diameter and one the same as rear tire diameter.
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Old Dec 22, 2011 | 09:30 PM
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I think a spare is out of the question.

Tire plug kit and inflator over slime spray can.

Motorbike stores have these kits and the kits can be very small. Else ask Tire Rack.com.
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Old Dec 23, 2011 | 01:27 AM
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Originally Posted by Kenny94945
Tire plug kit and inflator over slime spray can.
Why?

You'd prefer to be on the side of the road attempting to find the puncture and then attempting to remove it, ream it out and plug it? Do you know how hard it is to do this on a vette without removing the tire (VERY hard if it's a small puncture).

I'd rather just flip a switch to fill/seal the tire at once and be much safer.
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Old Dec 23, 2011 | 01:45 AM
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Originally Posted by FloydSummerOf68
Why?

You'd prefer to be on the side of the road attempting to find the puncture and then attempting to remove it, ream it out and plug it? Do you know how hard it is to do this on a vette without removing the tire (VERY hard if it's a small puncture).

I'd rather just flip a switch to fill/seal the tire at once and be much safer.
Even though I travel with only the tire plug/inflator set up when not rollin' on my run flats, I would have to agree with you there (as long as the Slime is truly TPMS safe of course).
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Old Dec 23, 2011 | 02:53 AM
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Originally Posted by FloydSummerOf68
Why?

You'd prefer to be on the side of the road attempting to find the puncture and then attempting to remove it, ream it out and plug it? Do you know how hard it is to do this on a vette without removing the tire (VERY hard if it's a small puncture).

I'd rather just flip a switch to fill/seal the tire at once and be much safer.



I would add: "in the night, when its raining, at the side of a busy highway with no runoff area as is standard in many cities". But, no Corvette would be out at night in the rain.

I always smile a little when people tell me they have a plug kit for a car with 5 inches of ground clearance WITH air in the non runflat tires (now down to four inches of clearance without air).

Last edited by WHT; Dec 24, 2011 at 10:05 AM.
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Old Dec 23, 2011 | 12:44 PM
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Originally Posted by haljensen
Your friend will need 2 spares, one equal to front tire diameter and one the same as rear tire diameter.
I think that one spare would do. If it matches the diamater of the rear wheels, he's okay on the rear to protect the posi-traction clutch plates, and if he puts it on the front, it will be taller, but for a short distance at lower speeds, that's okay. Ever see a tiny space saver spare on the front of a car. It works.
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Old Dec 23, 2011 | 12:52 PM
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Originally Posted by FNBADAZ06
The immediate issue he will have is that the SSR's use a truck's 6 lug pattern, so my solution will require wheel adapters.

Using hub centric wheel adapters, he can purchase the Cadillac CTS mini spare which is a 18" unit.

2006 CHEVROLET_TRUCK SSR
Your Bolt Pattern: 6x127mm
Your Hub Diameter: 78.3mm


2009 CADILLAC CTS
Your Bolt Pattern: 5x120mm
Your Hub Diameter: 66.9mm
Another possible option, but not cheap, would be to get another rear wheel off a SSR and have it narrowed, to serve as a spare. Then select a narrow tire used as a spare from another vehicle, that is the same diameter as his rear tires(but with a greater aspect ratio).

There is a guy that does this for the C5 & C6 crowd. He narrows a C5/C6 wheel and then uses a narrow tire. He also includes a holder that mounts to the floor, and a jack.
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