Alternative for spare tire

[Aurora40]

My spare is 18 years old now, and I've used it a couple times in the past few years. So I'm concerned about the age. I also suspect it won't clear the front brakes anymore.

To that end, I considered a GTO spare, but they are shorter overall than ours. I have heard the wheels fit up fine though.

For 2008, the CTS went to a RWD bolt pattern, 5x4.75", like the 'vette. So I figured that would fit too. The wheel is an 18" aluminum wheel, but the overall tire height is the same as ours. Plus, the spokes flare way out, giving maximum brake room.

I found a CTS spare kit new, tire not mounted, locally for $100 (they are $275+ from GM and backordered). So I jumped on it.

It has a narrower hub apparently than the 'vette. So no dice so far. I'll see if I can make it work. It looks like it would easily clear the Baer brakes, though.

Also, the wheel was surprisingly heavy for a 4" wide aluminum wheel. And it's made in China!

[GOLDCYLON]

Any thought on getting our OEM spare hubs reskinned? Has anybody done that yet here? GC

[Aurora40]

Any thought on getting our OEM spare hubs reskinned? Has anybody done that yet here? GC

Goodyear stopped making the tire about 10 years ago. There are no other radial spare tires in that size that I have found.

[ZR1Vette]

What is the tire size?

[Aurora40]

What is the tire size?
The CTS spare is a T135/70-R18. The Z's is a T155/70-R17.

A GTO spare, who's wheel does fit, is I believe T145/70-R17. But that's something like 3/4" shorter than stock. I would be concerned about the diff with a tire that much shorter if the rear had a flat. I've heard that can be bad for the limited slip. Though maybe it's not a problem. I also don't know if it would clear my brakes. They are also 4-5 years old now, though that's not nearly as bad as 18+.

[xlr8nflorida]

Also, the wheel was surprisingly heavy for a 4" wide aluminum wheel. And it's made in China![/quote]

OMG, a cheap rim from China? I thought you didn't like cheap rims from China?


I bet it falls off within 2 miles :mrgreen:

[tomtom72]

I haven't given the spare much thought except for checking the PSI once a yr.

Bob, good point about our stuff being 20 yrs old, if you have a 90. To that end I have a couple of thoughts.

Our spare is obviously not in direct sunlight, and is usually in the garage with the car, so there are no wild temp swings or UV light. Don't we need environmental factors to degrade the rubber?:dontknow:

Sorry, I am just curious as my spare looks fine after I clean the dust from it. I can't see any cracks, and I haven't seen any cracks the few times it has been on the car under actual load. It looks pretty funny on the rear though!

Sorry for all the Q's! If the front tires fit in the carrier, why can't we use a front tire as a replacement for the spare?

[ZR1Vette]

I have the same concern...my spare looks perfect but being 20 years old is an issue with me. Deterioration... UV is one cause but ozone in the air is another cause...so low mileage garage kept cars will make no diff...now place in a vacuum sealed bubble you be OK :mrgreen:

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b79/MRBLU/ZR1SpareKOH-1.jpg

[xlr8nflorida]

Also, the wheel was surprisingly heavy for a 4" wide aluminum wheel. And it's made in China!

OMG, a cheap rim from China? I thought you didn't like cheap rims from China?

The majority of Foose and Boyd Coddington are made in China.


I bet it falls off within 2 miles :mrgreen:[/quote]

[xlr8nflorida]

Also, the wheel was surprisingly heavy for a 4" wide aluminum wheel. And it's made in China!

OMG, a cheap rim from China? I thought you didn't like cheap rims from China?

The majority of Foose and Boyd Coddington wheels are made in China.


I bet your spare falls off within 2 miles :mrgreen:

[secondchance]

I raised the question to an old friend of mine who was a regional sales manager for Bridgestone for 20+ years, recently went to General.

According to him, as long as the tire is not discolored or there are no visual cracking, it's probably ok.

I googled for T155 70R17 and located the site but it's in UK.
http://www.citytyre.co.uk/tyre-123-T155_70R17_110M_TL_CST17_CONTI.htm

[ZR1Vette]

Good hunting... if need be we could a group purchase from the UK..split shipping etc. Right now at present currency rates the tyre (being English sourced) is about $104.

But with that said the idea that the OEM tire would be fine is good too since the one for my ZR has the notation 17 KOH written on it

[Aurora40]

I'd contacted Continental in the past, they said they do not sell that tire in the US. I tried to figure out what cars it worked on to see if it could be had via US dealerships. I think some MB's use(d) it, but could not find anything conclusive about buying one through local MB dealers.

It also doesn't solve the big brake problem.

[secondchance]

I talked to my buddy again and he tells me if it has a DOT number we could most likely approach a Continental dealer and get it into US. Otherwise, we would have to deal direct w/ the dealer in UK. Another hurdle may be the customs.

As for bigger brake issue, have you tried mounting standard spare w/ large brake on? Reason I am asking is that he spare is not that deep dished and rim diameter may not be an issue. I can't say for sure since the last time I actually used the spare was in 2000 and it was for the rear.

[xlr8nflorida]

I've had the spare tire on the right front of my car.

I put it over big 6 piston Wilwoods and huge 2 piece rotors.

It was not an issue for me.

The T155-70D-17 spare was used on the 2008 Camry & 2005 Acura. I've never checked into the logistics of it.
I prefer to blown my tire back up and repair it on site or have my car flat bedded. I don't like using the silly donut.

Most degradation is from UV Rays. (which your spare never sees) Basically any silicone spray without any petroleum distillates or solvents will work well. It will keep rubber soft, and has no odor. Any silicone spray with petroleum distillates or solvents will not work, will degrade your tires, and may dissolve some plastics. You will want to wash it off before driving on it. Also, make sure it is inflated up to the correct pressure at all times and that when you blow it up with air that its all air and no moisture in the compressor etc. Actually for a spare tire, I would probably suggest nitrogen.

[rhipsher]

Speaking of spare tire. I just pulled my spare out and I don't think its ever seen the light of day.
http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn63/keeno1970/spare.jpg
http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn63/keeno1970/spare2.jpg
http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn63/keeno1970/spare3.jpg

[xlr8nflorida]

Damn dude, wash that tire and tire bag up :mrgreen:

Those tire bags are going $100+ regularly!

[secondchance]

Speaking of spare tire. I just pulled my spare out and I don't think its ever seen the light of day.
http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn63/keeno1970/spare.jpg
http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn63/keeno1970/spare2.jpg
http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn63/keeno1970/spare3.jpg

Oh s**t!!!:jawdrop:
I better check mine!

[1990 415]

was there a family of chipmunks living in the spare?

[rhipsher]

was there a family of chipmunks living in the spare? Hehehe! I guess so. Because it looked like the jack bag had been chewed on by something. Theres no way those leaves would have got in there by themselves.

[Aurora40]

I talked to my buddy again and he tells me if it has a DOT number we could most likely approach a Continental dealer and get it into US. Otherwise, we would have to deal direct w/ the dealer in UK. Another hurdle may be the customs.

As for bigger brake issue, have you tried mounting standard spare w/ large brake on? Reason I am asking is that he spare is not that deep dished and rim diameter may not be an issue. I can't say for sure since the last time I actually used the spare was in 2000 and it was for the rear.
I've used the Baer template on the spare, and there was some contact. I haven't actually tried to mount it, but probably should. It would be close, but might fit.

In the past I called the Donald B. Rice tire company, they couldn't get any info on the Conti spare. They are a fairly large tire wholesaler in Frederick. I don't know how we'd get a DOT number without a car that the spare comes on. I've thought about hitting up a local MB dealer and checking trunks, but it never came to that.

[secondchance]

My brother in law has 3 Mercs - One ML, an E class and a new C class. I will try to check his spares next time I visit.
As for those European temporaries, if they are/were spec'd for any US bound cars, I would imagine they would have DOT numbers on them.

[secondchance]

Actually it just dawned on me Mercedes and BMWs typically come with a full size spares complete with aluminum wheel.