Big Brake - Spare Tire Mod

[DEFYANT]

Got big brakes and a donut spare? Want to store a full size polished rim shinny side up? Me too.

Bear Brake users, if you get a flat in the front, the donut will not fit due to the big brakes. Next week I will be traveling all over the county with the meet on Long Island and then out to Woodward. The prospects are great for a flat.

So here is a new simple and cheep mod for those who have big brakes and/or want to use a polished rim and not scratch up the finish

Pics:

I used a piece of threaded rod bent to form a "9". I wanted to just run the rod up through the rim, but it is one size too small. Also, I wanted the "OEM look with the hold down washer and wing nut.

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/2/6/4/4/DCP_1911.JPG

Some single side sticky foam to protect the rim:

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/2/6/4/4/DCP_1912.JPG

Inside the rim:

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/2/6/4/4/DCP_1913.JPG

Finished:

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/2/6/4/4/DCP_1910.JPG

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/2/6/4/4/DCP_1909.JPG

Anyone have an extra full size spare tire cover thingy?

[Cheeseheadbob]

Alright, McGiver. Could you bend me up some kind thing-a-mi-jig so I can get 30 MPG in the city?:D

[SID210SA]

Your spare has a mini skirt on.....:D

[bigslim]

When I got my 04' I kept the spare from my 03'.

[Shora]

Your spare has a mini skirt on.....:D

LMA$$OFF. 1234

[DEFYANT]

Better?

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/2/6/4/4/DCP_1914.JPG


:mad: :D :P

[Shora]

Better?

:mad: :D :P

Actually, it does look better with it off but if it were me I would leave the mini on.

By the way, wasn't Car Motorsports supposed to make a custom cover for the spare?

[Haggis]

Is that a front size spare or a rear size spare? If it is a front size, what happens if you get a flat on a rear tire? If it is a rear size spare, what happens if you get a flat on a front tire? Maybe you need to develope a mod to care one of each, front and rear spare. ;)

[STLR FN]

Is that a front size spare or a rear size spare? If it is a front size, what happens if you get a flat on a rear tire? If it is a rear size spare, what happens if you get a flat on a front tire? Maybe you need to develop a mod to care one of each, front and rear spare. ;)Haggis I wondered the same thing. I figured 90% of flats are on the front as that is the leading tire so it would be more susceptible to flats. So I put a 235/50 on my full size spare. From the factory on the 300A's w/o T/C was a 235/50.

[Bluerauder]

I figured 90% of flats are on the front as that is the leading tire so it would be more susceptible to flats.
My experience has been just the opposite. Seems like the front tire always hits the nail or screw and stands it up for a puncture in the rear tire. Maybe this fits into the "Strange But True" forum. :rolleyes: Anyone else notice this phenomenon?? :confused:

[Breadfan]

If you lose a tire you would've had the same issue with the donut spare. I say keep a front in there because it's cheaper to replace and may be easier to come by. However if you upgrade you rears and keep the rims you may just keep a rear tire there.

Either way it will work as a spare. Remember this is a temoprary spare not a fix. if anything it'll function tons better than your donut spare even if it's not the right size.

Those with T/C just remember to turn that off before going. If the ABS light comes on it may require clearing the DTC's once you get the regular tire back on.

Heck even though this might get me some flames, I am storing my BFG drag radials in my trunk right now because i don't have a good place to put them. (Yes I know living room would work but they make the place smell like tire.) So I took out my spare and figure I got two spares in my trunk with the DR's. Sure not a permanent solutoin but these drag radials would certainly get me home in a pinch, probably better than a donut spare.

[RoyLPita]

Wasn't the long rod for a full size tire in the jack bag????

[shakes_26]

eeeeek!!! full frontal spare tire!!!!! I thought this was a PG rated Tread... :eek:

Actually with the mini spare cover it looked like a beer belly hanging out from under a Tshirt, kind of like going to a Nascar event.... :rolleyes:

Charlie,

Minor, but might help, you may want to do a static rebalance of that tire so the tape weights will clear the caliper. No need fixing the flat to ahve an annoying shimmy the rest of the trip.

-Marc


Better?

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/2/6/4/4/DCP_1914.JPG


:mad: :D :P

[magindat]

Is that a front size spare or a rear size spare? If it is a front size, what happens if you get a flat on a rear tire? If it is a rear size spare, what happens if you get a flat on a front tire? Maybe you need to develope a mod to care one of each, front and rear spare. ;)
It tells ya on the jack instructions AND in the owners manual:

No more than 50 miles and no more the 55 mph using a donut or front size spare on the rear. Otherwise rear-end damage may result.

I carry a plug kit, fix a flat and CO2 inflators. If I can't handle it with that, AAA will just have to tow it!

[TAF]

Actually with the mini spare cover it looked like a beer belly hanging out from under a Tshirt, kind of like going to a Nascar event....



Whaaa??!! You makin' fun of NASCAR fans, boy??!!

http://www.dowlingsweatt.com/images/FunnyPictures/Nascar%20fan.jpg

[KillJoy]

:puke: :puke: :puke:

:alone:

KillJoy

[Shora]

My experience has been just the opposite. Seems like the front tire always hits the nail or screw and stands it up for a puncture in the rear tire. Maybe this fits into the "Strange But True" forum. :rolleyes: Anyone else notice this phenomenon?? :confused:

My last 4 flats where at the rear tires. All involved nail(s) and once a screw.

[Cheeseheadbob]

He likes sporting his I.Q.
Whaaa??!! You makin' fun of NASCAR fans, boy??!!

http://www.dowlingsweatt.com/images/FunnyPictures/Nascar%20fan.jpg

[Joe Walsh]

My experience has been just the opposite. Seems like the front tire always hits the nail or screw and stands it up for a puncture in the rear tire. Maybe this fits into the "Strange But True" forum. :rolleyes: Anyone else notice this phenomenon?? :confused:

I agree most of my flats have been rear tires...Why?...:dunno:

Nice, simple mod that works for a full size spare!

BTW: That mini-tire cover looks like a 16 year old's 'bippy' shirt!
"Hey baby I can see your tread!":D

[STLR FN]

Whaaa??!! You makin' fun of NASCAR fans, boy??!!

http://www.dowlingsweatt.com/images/FunnyPictures/Nascar%20fan.jpgThat's just downright scary.

[Joe Walsh]

That's just downright scary.

ER....You mean SCHAIRY!

"Gorilla spotted at Bristol Raceway"

[DEFYANT]

Alright who posted the hairt back dude! I'm tryin to eat over here!! How 'bout alittle warning next time! :) :eek: :puke:

:D

For the record, that is an OEM rear tire there. To be used to get me off the highway or to a service station / dealer. AAA will be used for a mechanical break down I can not repair on the roadside.

[shakes_26]

is the dude on the left wearing a Man-zeer? :D


Whaaa??!! You makin' fun of NASCAR fans, boy??!!

http://www.dowlingsweatt.com/images/FunnyPictures/Nascar%20fan.jpg

[DEFYANT]

is the dude on the left wearing a Man-zeer? :D


:puke:

Thats it!

I make a motion we close this thread 4th width.

[03SILVERSTREAK]

Better?

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/2/6/4/4/DCP_1914.JPG


:mad: :D :P

Charlie- I have the same situation althought I purchased the full size spare cover and it looks fully covered , but I like the " #9" Idea...:D

[Drock96Marquis]

Nice work! Very ingenuitive! :cool:

Until you obtain a full size cover (if you can't find one you can make one for about $10 with stuff (carpet, spray adhesive, use a piece of a carboard box for circular backing on underside of top) from Home Depot or Lowes FYI) give that tread a light wipe down with some Westley's bleach-white, or even some dawn to make it look nice and new again :) I think I like beign able to see the bling 5-spoke though :)

[Bluerauder]

Very ingenuitive! :cool:
Neat word ... where'd you find it? :rolleyes:

Since you are in Frederick, when are you gonna come on out to one of the CAM meets? :dunno: Got some stuff cooking for September and October. Check the CAM Forums. :D

[DEFYANT]

Check the CAM Forums. :D

...and the Upcoming Events forums.

[Todd TCE]

Any BBK tends to create a bit of problem for the spare....

The most common solution is the tire shuffle when needed:
Swap a rear tire (assuming you don't have a rear bbk) to the front and install the space saver on the rear.

Yea it's a pain but it works.

[Drock96Marquis]

Neat word ... where'd you find it? :rolleyes:
I created it, combining Ingenuity and Inventive lol :P




Since you are in Frederick, when are you gonna come on out to one of the CAM meets? :dunno: Got some stuff cooking for September and October. Check the CAM Forums. :D
I would like to attend a meet sometime, and see some of your MM's truely insane setups :cool:

[KillJoy]

I would like to attend a meet sometime, and see some of your MM's truely insane setups :cool:

See..... I told ya so! ;)

KillJoy

[SergntMac]

My my...This thread has been entertaining.

Thanks Charlie for pioneering a fix for the challenge. I've got both going on here, a full size (rear size) spare for the 300A, and the donut for the 300B. Never found any additional parts in either jack bag.

Those with T/C just remember to turn that off before going. If the ABS light comes on it may require clearing the DTC's once you get the regular tire back on.

Heck even though this might get me some flames, I am storing my BFG drag radials in my trunk right now because i don't have a good place to put them. (Yes I know living room would work but they make the place smell like tire.) So I took out my spare and figure I got two spares in my trunk with the DR's. Sure not a permanent solutoin but these drag radials would certainly get me home in a pinch, probably better than a donut spare. The ABS warning should go away with recycling the ignition, it does on both of my Marauders. Most common trigger for it is the dyno. After a dyno, the ABS light is always on, until I shut the car off and start it again.

In a pinch, the drag radials are still tires. Mount them as a set and drive safely until your next service opportunity.