babygrand

I just picked up a 92 RS vert without a spare tire, the build sheet I found in the trunk says N65 for the spare is that the black aluminum wheel with the inflatable tire? If so anyone have one? all I can find are the dounut kind and they dont fit. Thanks

Drew

iTrader: (58)

N64 is the black painted aluminum spare that clears the large brakes. A 92 RS vert should have the same brakes as a 82 Camaro with a 4cyl. All the normal disc/drum cars use the same base model brakes, and any spare should work. Any of the mini spares should work, I'd be looking for a full time inflated spare rather then the collapsible spares. The spares that need to be inflated usually are cracked at the folds by this point, they're not really safe to drive on. AAA or an extra wheel with a fullsize tire is probably the best bet. Or even just get an extra tire and throw it in the trunk on long trips. Then if you have a flat you can call AAA for a tow and have the back-up tire mounted up so you can get home.

Stephen

iTrader: (12)

I have the wheel, but the condition of the tire is questionable (although never used, it is old so....?), for extended on-road use. Maybe you could get a new collapsible tire & put that on the wheel? I could see about having the tire dismounted, if you didn't want the tire.

Guest

I dont think an inflated spare is going to fit. Worse yet, its kind of useless anyway unless you want to throw the blown tire in the back seat or on the trunk lid. It wont fit anywhere else.

Stephen

iTrader: (12)

No need to put a flat in the rear seat.

A 245/50R16 flat tire will fit in the rear hatch area, even fully inflated, with the hatch closed. I used to run a full size tire & wheel as a spare. That is why the rear hatch panel had that "notch" in the plastic. For a full sized flat tire to fit.

Drew

iTrader: (58)

Convertible... right. The inflated mini spare from a early car should fit in the spare storage well just like the collapsible spares. They're a smaller O.D. then the collapsible spares.

A full size extra wheel with tire isn't something you'd want to haul around all the time, it'd probably fit in the trunk but it'd consume the entire trunk. But it'd be handy to have in the garage for emergencies and road trips.

Personally I'd much rather call AAA and get a tow, or call a friend to come pick me up or bring me my extra wheel/tire, then fight with pulling the spare and using the emergency jack on the side of the road in the middle of the night. But then all my friends are car people, so I've got a support network (and AAA).

babygrand

Thanks guys, I think the tire I need inflates with a can of Co2, just not sure which wheel is the N65 option, black or spoked.

Stephen

iTrader: (12)

Either way, I have 1 of each wheel your looking for. I just won't guarantee the usefulness of the 20+yr old tires on them.

Drew

iTrader: (58)

Black steel would be N65. The aluminum spoked spare was replaced by the aluminum painted spare, and both used the N64 RPO. But as mentioned, the collapsible spares are really questionable at this point. I wouldn't drive on one for all the tea in China.

babygrand

Stephen, what do want for them? just want the correct tire and wheel. I run new tires so with any luck I'll never need it. Just don't want a tire rolling around in the trunk (like now) Dan

Stephen

iTrader: (12)

Do you need/want the jack, anchor, hook, plastic spacer (that prevents rattling noise) or lug nut wrench? Any of those parts too?

babygrand

Just wheel and tire everything else was laying in the trunk rolling around, the guy I got it from was not to bright.

ThePain

Can you not just buy one from GM?

babygrand

How many cars and what years used that same spare tire and wheel?

Guest

That does not apply with a convertible. The trunk lid sits much lower than the hatch glass, not to mention that the opening with the lid up is tiny, at best. So... it does not fit.

I have tried to put the inflated mini spare from my 86 (spare for 16" wheels) into the well my 89 vert, it did not fit. I dont know if a later version will fit, but the earlier one will not.

Stephen

iTrader: (12)

If a flat tire won't fit in the back, did GM tell the convertible owners to toss a flat tire in the back seat, or on top of the decklid?

Guest

Good question, I guess I can dig up my owners manual and see if they mention that little tidbit or not. I'm not even sure the 15" full size or 14" full size will fit back there, will have to try that one with my dads car since mine is nowhere near me at the moment.

Guest

Well, the 89 Firebird Convertible Owners Manual Supplement says exactly nothing about the storage of a flat tire. However, I did find something of interest in the owners manual, will scan and post that in a sec. Its the solution to the problem, although what I said before applies.

Neither of the two 89 convertibles we have here have this so-called flat tire cover. Any other convertible owners have this cover with their spare? I'd imagine that is where it would be located. Nor do I have that additional strap pictured in the manual.

sonjaab

That suppliment sez its for the GTA notchback not a ragtop/

injdinjn

There is always the wrecking yard for spares. I have even seen the alumn ones in local yards.

I have the supplied Goodyear leaflet for space saver spares. shows the "Custom Mini-Space Spare Tire*
*the stowaway spare tire from Goodyear. The car they show in the pics is not a F-body and does not mention what to do with the full size tire.

The Convertible supplement only tells how to raise and lower the top.

I have never seen a notchback trunk so I don't know if its different from a conv or not, but it appears that GM did not specifically address convertible tire storage.

Guest

And?

Does not really matter. You cannot store the spare in the trunk, so the intended location if GM had one (like in a Camaro manual or a 91-up Firebird manual) would very likely be identical.

Drew

iTrader: (58)

GM's idea was that a tiny spare could be stored away under the panel on the passengers side, mostly to increase cargo room. When the spare goes on the car, the full size wheel and tire goes in the well under the hatch. There's actually an anchor for the spare tire J bolt so the flat can be retained with the hook and wingnut from the spare. That's also why there's a relief in the rear trim panel. It mostly works with the 15" wheels and stock tires of 82, it gets a bit iffy with 245/50R16's. The tire usually touches the glass before the pull down motor is finished pulling down. If the tire is aired up I doubt the hatch would close. On a convertible you've got less clearance.

I've never seen any special storage apparatus, if I had to deal with a flat in my convertible and had no other choice I'd throw the flat in the backseat.

okfoz

All I have to say is I have the black painted aluminum spare tire in my 1989 Formula 350 Vert... It is nearly impossible to put into its place, When I bought the car I thought it was curious that the previous owner did not put it away, I found out why as I had to push, pull, shimmey and shake and then hope like crazy that I did not tear the weatherstrip... It was a PITA... I would much prefer the inflatable spare, but I do not think it would work over the rear brakes...

John

Stephen

iTrader: (12)

Your black one isn't the inflatable type tire? Both of mine (black & spoked) have the inflatable type tires on them.

Stephen

iTrader: (12)

$20 + shipping sound good? I don't know what they are worth, but it sounds fair for an aluminum spare.

Guest

I was able to stuff a 24" OD 8" wide tire in there, but getting much more in that would be difficult at best. I suppose depending on the size, shape, and stiffness of the tire you may be able to hammer a larger tire into place. I remember now my 16" 245/50/16 was hitting the tonneau cover, so I was not able to lay it back where it would normally sit on a hatchback even with the air removed. Maybe if it was completely flat and a weak sidewall tire (mine are not) then with some force and effort you could jam it in there. Then at some point, you'd have to get it back out.

There is an area of the trunk lid that is recessed as well, although its across the entire lid. It helps with clearance when closing the trunk, but again... this tire I threw in there barely cleared there as well. There is a sticker on the trunk lid that I had forgotten about, shows storage of the spare but the car is obviously a hatchback.

Just something to keep in mind if you get a flat.

babygrand

sounds fair how much for shipping to 98370?

Stephen

iTrader: (12)

Which one? I'll weigh it & get a cost for you tomorrow.

babygrand

The spoked one would be my first choice if they weigh the same. Thanks Dan

Iroctopless

Just for FYI . . .
Here's the trunk lid sticker on the ASC verts . . .


Here's the spare tire and mounted as per factory specs . . .
Not correct . . . the jack mounts behind the tire and the tire should be facing the other way around. (Iroctopless)


Pretty tight quarters!

thecraze

For a mini spare (AKA donut), I went to a junkyard and picked one up in nice condition from a fourth gen Camaro.

animute

ok

thecraze

I can show you my 86, which may be similar.

animute

Cool, Thanks

Iroctopless

Good question, but here's not the place to ask. This section is convertible specific. Try under "Body" or "History / Restoration" for the best results.

Stephen

iTrader: (12)

Both weigh the same....Just under 35 lbs....

Even hoping for the smallest box that would JUST fit, no room for any padding, I can't get the shipping cost under $45.

If you want to pay more for the shipping, than the item even costs, that's fine by me.

But the spoked one is a 14", off my 87, and the black one is a 15", off a 89 GTA (bigger brakes). So your later model brakes might not even fit in the 14" wheel.

PM me & I'll send you my Paypal info, or you can send a Money Order. No personal checks please. Cash is fine, if you trust sending cash through the mail.

okfoz

I believe that was the reason why they went to the larger spare on the cars with the 4 wheel disc brakes. The 14" aluminum spoked rim will not fit on the rear... I have read where people when they get a rear flat they change the front with the spare and then move the front to the rear.

Stephen

iTrader: (12)

The 14" spare won't fit the larger discs.

babygrand

wow 45$ to ship thats twice what I expected it would be. I'm going to make some phone calls Monday and I'll get back to you. Thanks

thecraze

Sorry about the late reply, I was working a lot, then had a new muffler put on my car.

When you see how it's done, it's very easy from there.

ThePain

Can you buy spares new from GM? Either for our cars (probably not) but at least from 4th gens, and would the 4th gens fit?

thecraze

yes, fourth gen spares fit. I pulled mine from one.

you can also get a great used one at a junkyard like I did.

okfoz

The rear brakes from a 4th gen are almost identical to a late 3rd gen disc brake. Matter of fact they are so close you can use the calipers from a 4th gen on a 89-92 3rd gen disc brake car. I think the rotor may be different but it too may be the same...

I have a friend that bought some junkyard calipers from a 4th gen for $20 bought new rotors and bought some NOS plates for a 1989 and installed them on his 1986 TA with the 9 bolt axle. So I know its possible, and the spare should not matter, It is not like your driving on them for more than a few miles.

John

ltblue89rs

I have and 89 vert with an inflatable silver spoke spare and i'm having a hard time getting it in the spare tire space... is it possible that it is slightly inflated from someone else using it before?... and if so how do you deflate it all the way?

okfoz

I had a heck of a time with my space saver in my convertible. I had to push, and pray, prod, wiggle, shimmey and shake... Once I had my mouth just right and God was gracious to me I managed to actually get it in there,... Of course I have the black Aluminum spare (no spokes), I thought the others were smaller...

Tremo

Actually not. I just had a sidewall blowout on my 245/50R16 and no way would the hatch close when I put it in the trunk.

Anyone know the size of the space-saver spare? I still have mine at 31 years old and it got me home after I pumped it up, but it is way too old. My spare is on the black steel wheel, I have the J65 brakes. The gas canister still had a charge!

Now I want to replace that spare as well.

Thanks.