Really Stupid Question about Spare Tire...

[EttevroC]

:ugh Sorry for this question, I know that I know the answer but I have to ask it anyway.....

In lowering the spare tire, do you rotate the retaining bolt clockwise or counter clockwise as you are looking up to it from the bottom?


I'm going on a trip tomorrow, taking handicap kids for rides at a Harrisburg PA airport, with new tires and rims and wanted to make sure that there was air in the spare; I don’t want to disappoint the kids.

:W Well guess what, the tire "cradle" doesn't seem to be lowering ether way I turn the retaining bolt. According to the manual, all I have to do is turn the bolt 10 turns and it should be loose enough to push up on the tire cradle and slip it out of the slot.

Again, sorry for the stupid question.

 

[Ken]

Lying on your back underneath the bolt, turn it counterclockwise to remove - same as any other (normal) bolt. It takes a few turns before you'll get the carrier low enough to get the tire out, but if you push up occasionally on the carrier you'll be able to release the bolt from its holder without totally unscrewing it.

 

[Jeb]

I had a problem with mine and it turned out that the stamped metal "wings" on the upper part of the threaded rod were gone. Those wings keep the rod from turning along with the nut when you're trying to get it loosened.

I had to take the plate off and put some vicegrips on the rod to get it down. Then, I kept turning until the nut came all the way off and I could remove the whole shebang.

$40 some-odd dollars later it was repaired and this time, I put some antiseize on the threads so it won't crap out again.

If you're carrier isn't coming down when you turn the nut counter clockwise, you might want to remove the license plate and have a looksee.

 

[EttevroC]

Thanks Jeb & Ken, bigtime!

I noticed that there wasn't a scratch on the bolts or cradle so I guess I'm the first to try to lower the spare tire.

I hope I've used up my stupid question quotient today. :crazy

 

[Vettefan87]

There are no stupid questions, at least not around here .

 

[c4cruiser]

Chances are the spare tire will not have any air in it. My 87 wheel had so much corrosion on the aluminum rim, that I had to remove the tire and clean up the mounting lip and then remount the tire.

The inflation pressure is 60psi. It's a good idea to check the pressure twice a year. Also check the jack for proper operation. Make sure the lug wrench is in its holder. The factory wrench is really not worth a lot when it comes to undoing a lugnut. The factory torque is 100 ft-lbs and the handle on the wrench doesn't allow for leverage to loosen (or tighten) the lugs easily.

I carry a 16" long 1/2" drive breaker bar, a 5" extension and a 19mm six-point deep socket and keep it behind the passenger seat. Works a lot easier with the added length of the bar!!

 

[EttevroC]

Thanks guys,

I just busted my 1/2" to 3/8" adapter, cheap tool set I'm afraid, so off I went to Home Depot (Sears closes @ 9) and picked up a new torque wrench.

I also discovered that the shop who installed my tires installed two of them in the wrong direction!!!! I can't believe it, I'll have to go to this charity event with beautiful new chrome wheels on the back and the old wheels on the front! Geeezzzzze.

Thanks again for the infor and the encouragement, CAC is the greatest!

 

[Ken]

There are no stupid questions, at least not around here .

That's right! Don't ever hesitate to ask a question, no matter how silly it may seem to you. Remember that there are a lot of other people out there who would not ask a question for fear of sounding too much like a novice; those people are helped when we discuss simple things. Those of us with more experience should never ignore or dismiss those with less experience; how else are we all to learn?

It's a good idea to check the pressure twice a year.

Those of you who would rather check the pressure more often, but would like to avoid dropping the carrier each time, should look into getting one of these:

That picture is not a very good example, but it was the best I could come up with at the moment. Ignore the "Tee".

I have one of those hose extensions in the garage somewhere; I don't use it anymore since I don't carry a spare.

 

[WhalePirot]

My motorhome has those for the inner tires. A common and good source for leaks, tho. Small, 12vdc compressors don't weigh much nor take much space.

 

[Ken]

I had one on the Vette for years Mike, and never once had a leak.

 

[milehigreg]

Checked the spare

Dropped the spare tire for a check last night last night after reading this thread. Found what I think is the original space saver spare. Can that be? No air pressure. The inside of the carrier and the tire were covvered with road dirt. The jack was still in the bag with the original rubber band. I don't think it has ever been out of the bag, much less used! Yeah!