TR2/3/3A TR3 Spare Tire

[RedTR3]

When I purchased my TR3 a couple of months ago, the PO gave me the spare tire loose, not in the compartment. Now I know why, it is a press fit in there. Anyway, is this common and how can I fit a tire in there? My spare is an ANCIENT 6.00 wide tire. Anyway, I must not be the only person around with this problem and you all probably have the solutions - thanks!

 

[martx-5]

Yes, that compartment is tight. In the pre-60,000 cars, the biggest that you can squeeze in there is about a 5.60 tire. Maybe you can squeeze in a 150-155. In the later post 60,000 cars, they made the inside of the compartment slightly higher. They will accomodate a 160-165 (slightly larger the 6") size tire. Although that is still tight. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hammer.gif Dust the tire with talcum powder, that will help it to slide in and out. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/jester.gif It's only a spare, so whatever you can get in there is fine. Remember, most cars come with "space-saver" spares today anyway, so the TR3 was just way ahead of it's time. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thirsty.gif

 

[Mickey Richaud]

When I had my TR3, I had a 165/15 Vredestein on a stock rim. Had to deflate it a bit to get it in, but it did slide in.

Mickey

 

[Harry_Ward]

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/iagree.gif

Mickey's right and that's what I do! Deflate the tire a little to fit and Make sure you stow the hand pump in the trunk.

 

[Deleted member 451]

A can of Fix-A-Flat and a tool bag fit in there just fine.

 

[kodanja]

"Fix-a-Flat"

messy stuff! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/nonono.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/england.gif

 

[RedTR3]

Thanks for all the good advice - It's also great to know that I am not the only one who relies on fix-a-flat!

 

[Deleted member 451]

I also carry a cell phone and a AAA card in case the Fix-A-Flat doesn't work.

 

[gsalt57tr3]

Another hint -

Put a web belt through the hub and around the tire.

Makes it easier to pull out once you get it in.

 

[Andrew Mace]

Yet another suggestion I've heard is to scour a junkyard and find one of those temporary spares with the correct 4.5" PCD. Shouldn't be too hard to come up one, and it'll give you a good bit of extra room in the spare tire compartment for other bits you might wish to carry. Don't know as I'd go that route, but....

 

[Adrio]

The space saver is an idea but then you would have to use a lug wrench as well as the hammer to change the tyre. I went with letting the air out of the spare and I carry a small electric air pump to fill it. The pump is about the size of two or three decks of cards and fits inside the 'dish' of the wheel

 

[MGTF1250Dave]

Aloha,

I have a 125R15 tire mounted on 48 spoke wheel that I use a spare. The overall diameter is about an inch and a half smaller than the 165R15 tire I have on my other wheels. It will fit easily into the compartment fully inflated. Other sizes available to consider are 135R15 or 145R15. I have only had to use it once to get home. I would only use this as a spare tire.

I found this tire a local store but Choker Tire Co. also has these narrow tire listed on their site.

 

[PeterK]

I have a 135/80x15 space saver tire bought from ebay for $15. Even came with a wheel, scissors, jack and tool kit from a Prelude. I plan on mounting it on a TR wheel for the 3A. The Prelude wheel has a 4-1/2" backspace so it would interfere on the 3A .

 

[Don Elliott]

I have an early TR3A and my spare is a Michelin 165-15 SR on a steel rim. It fits. During the last 16 years, (94,000 miles) and I'm on my 3rd set of tires, I've never had a flat and never used my spare but it's still able to be removed.

 

[PeterK]

Don,
My existing spare is the 5.60x15 bias play tire probably from an old VW Beetle at some point. I just inspected it and is still holding all air and goes in and out of the spare compartment easily enough. Probably good enough in a pinch for 50 miles at least. Rethinking it, I might save the space saver for a while longer, this one's still good!.