Beware of the Spare

APKhaos · 11-24-2002, 11:46 AM

Got an unwelcome chance to test the compact spare today.

Shredded a tire on the NOVA run [picked up a large nail somewhere in Front Royal].

FWIW, no amount of Fix a Flat would have helped

Inflated the spare, and set off for home.
Less than 10 miles later, the spare is almost flat. Long story short, I made it 50 miles to home by a series of 10-12 mile hops with a reinflation before each hop. Porsche compressor earned its stripes today.

Tried Fix a FLat, but it did not stop the leak. It did show me where the leak was - the tire was fine, but the valve stem seal was leaking at the rim, and was quite loose. Could rotate the entire valve in the rim without a problem. Once I get the valve stem seal replaced, I suspect the spare will be fine.

If you rely on the compact spare, suggest you inflate it and check that it holds pressure. If not, take a look at the valve stem seal.

makaio · 11-24-2002, 03:40 PM

Yes it is a good idea to check them every once in a while. I check mine once every six months or so, when I do an oil change.

john70t · 11-24-2002, 04:22 PM

Be careful when using that fix-a flat stuff. It is flamable and supposedly a few tire techs have had a nasty experience when they reamed out the hole for a plug, be sure to tell them.
Also the tire can get extremely unbalanced with the liquid still sloshing around in it, should be drained before rebalance.

Green 912 · 11-24-2002, 04:36 PM

We were wondering what happened to you.

Jdub · 03-21-2003, 05:52 AM

Hey guys:

Looks like I get to find this out today...very heavy steering as I rolled off I-5 and into work. Had heard the classic inside fender bolt flying around sound, was concerned, noted heavy steering, knew what was coming before I even got out of the car and noted front right almost flat.

So, can the spare be inflated by floor pump? Next, does the spare fold back to proper size for refit in trunk following the fix?

Thanks in advance,
John

McDaniel · 03-21-2003, 05:57 AM

To a lot of points in this thread. The valve stem seems to be
prone to loosening the longer the tire is stored/carried in the
deflated state. Yes, it resumes the deflated shape once the
air is released. Yes, it can be inflated at a pump, but in all
cases be sure to inflate only to recommended pressure.
Now, my question is: Does anyone have a cost on replacement
of the spare?

NoLift911 · 03-21-2003, 06:01 AM

Funny story for you guys....waaaaaay back when, when I picked up my 84 Carrera I was going through the trunk and wondered why my spare was flat.....so I figured I would pump it up off of the car of course

Try it sometime...odd little thing...

-Jeff
nolift911@hotmail.com

JWest · 03-21-2003, 06:23 AM

Can that collapsible spare be remounted to another rim (steel to a spare fuchs) by a normal tire shop?

MotoSook · 03-21-2003, 06:29 AM

There is a spare on e-bay right now!

GeorgeK · 03-21-2003, 06:47 AM

James,
Yes it can be mounted to another rim, but it has to be a rim with beads. I did that on a few 5.5 that had the beads welded on before; otherwise the tire will "fall" in the rim, and you can't inflate it.
BUT it takes time, efforts and a competent tire shop. I did mine with my P mechanic who thought it couldn't be done, and the first took us one good hour to take off the rim. Result:

Or, as done by the factory on a 5.5X14 (!):

GeorgeK (911th. post!)

APKhaos · 03-21-2003, 08:31 AM

To close the loop here........

Our local tire guru, Paul at Radial Tire, replaced the stem seal [retained the double barreled stock stem] and replaced the rubber sealing strip that runs under the bead area on these spares. These things degrade with age, which is no surprise. Best to check that your spare holds pressure every six months or so, and repaired if it fails.

Getting the spare to deflate enough to replace it in the truck is a challenge!!