Date: Fri, 11 Mar 2011 21:24:30 -0800
Reply-To: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Subject: Re: How to get that (bleep) spare tire out (Part 3)
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Usually the hook that the plastic pull tab is/was connected to, is in plain
site..
and you just hold the tire from falling with one hand , and push on the
hook...
with the other hand ..
and it's unhooked and lowers. Perhaps paint that hook end in bright orange
or something ..
it's very easy to see, unless something happened to your van ..but with a
spare tire untouched for many years ...it's unlikely that hook is not right
there.
I never even bother with the plastic pull ring ..
most of the vans I see don't have one anyway ...
check it out. It's right there and very easy.
look at the tire label just inside the driver's door.
If 205/70 R 14 "reinforced" is listed ....it should fit.
at the front of the spare tire clam shell , where the bolt goes ..
if a 205/70 will fit ....the mounting tab will be 'dropped' there ..
about 3/4 of an inch.
if it won't ..
the tab is closer to flush/flat.
I think my 87 GL has the dropped tab or bracket there.
Scott
www.turbovans.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "David M" <covrambles@YAHOO.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, March 11, 2011 5:25 PM
Subject: Re: How to get that (bleep) spare tire out (Part 3)
>I finally got it out! A pair of pliers to the remnants of the plastic pull
>tab. After about six failed attempts, the whole tray came crashing down
>(boy am I glad my hand was not underneath) and the remnant of the pathetic
>plastic pull tab flew into the air as it split into 3 more pieces.
> The spare tire (215/70-14) which was brand new with 0 miles when stowed
> has four deep gouges in the sideall that faced upwards. It was completely
> devoid of pressure. I filled it to 40psi to see if it leaks but I doubt
> I'd ever dare use it again (well I never have used it). It was a great
> tire too (Sears Response XL). Obviously a 215/70-14 cannot fit into the
> spare-tire bay without severe damage to the tire. Whether a 205/70-14
> would fit, I don't know. I suspect it was designed for 185R14 so those of
> us with allow wheels are out of luck. Its amazing what mechanisms become
> visible one you look up through the empty spare wheel bay.
> TWO QUESTIONS:
> (1) Can the pull-tab mechanism be repaired?
> (2) What size tire will fit in spare tire tray without damage?
>
> -David (1987 Wolfsburg)
