FYI FORD MustangSteve's Ford Mustang Forum / Spare Tire question

**Posted by Steve69** 6/09/2024 4:00 PM

The spare tire I bought fits on the rear axle with 1” spacer. On the front it fits but hits on the wheel studs that the spacers bolt up to. The spare will tighten down but there’s about 1/4 of space because it’s
Mounted against the studs. I could grind down the studs a bit? Any other suggestions? Yes and check your new wheel bearings after 500 miles. There was some up and down movement in both my wheels from the bearings. I retighten them.

Thanks Steve69

**Posted by Rudi** 6/09/2024 5:16 PM

Looks like you need might the mag style lug nuts not the conical ones
The mag ones have an extended portion that engages more thread.
I personally don’t carry a spare anymore,I use tire sealant and have a small air pump, that and a AAA card.
Years ago I had a Crown Vic compact spare but never carried it.

Last edited by Rudi (6/09/2024 5:25 PM)

**Posted by GPatrick** 6/09/2024 5:26 PM

Before cutting studs I'd use the marks and drill 5 clearance holes. You'll still have integrity of the spare wheel and I'd rather modify a spare than mess with studs.

**Posted by rpm** 6/09/2024 6:44 PM

Do you have spacers or adapters? Spacers only have holes in them, adapters have studs. You don't show a pic of it, but do the studs that are interfering extend past the nut that's on it? Only the stud threads contacting the nut are holding it.

**Posted by Steve69** 6/09/2024 6:50 PM

There 1” adapters with studs. I didn’t know if I’d ruin the balance if I drilled the rim for clearance for the studs. I’d most likely wouldn’t be driving all that far anyways to get back home.

**Posted by Steve69** 6/09/2024 6:52 PM

GPatrick wrote:
Before cutting studs I'd use the marks and drill 5 clearance holes. You'll still have integrity of the spare wheel and I'd rather modify a spare than mess with studs.

. You can see on the back side of the rim where the studs hit the rim.

**Posted by GPatrick** 6/09/2024 9:25 PM

Those are the marks I was referring to - where the studs hit the rim. Shows you right where to drill. Cut the studs or drill the wheel - you'll get the same result.

**Posted by Nos681** 6/10/2024 5:04 AM

The studs hitting the spare are on wheel hub, not the wheel adapter.

I stacked washers and placed an old lug nut to almost desired height …plus one washer on top of lug nut.
Then take the flapper wheel until flush with washer….20 times.

I have 1” wheel adapters.

Last edited by Nos681 (6/10/2024 5:08 AM)

**Posted by BobE** 6/10/2024 8:15 AM

My question is; as the wheel appears to marked as a 4.5” bolt cycle, why doesn’t it fit properly?
I have a space saver wheel/tire with a 4.5” bolt cycle, not sure what it was from (bought from a junk yard) that fits properly w/o spacers, etc.
However, as Rudi does, a tire sealant, and an air pump would likely take up less trunk room than the space saver spare tire … might be a less stressful solution.

**Posted by Steve69** 6/10/2024 8:28 AM

Thanks for the Great info guys!

Steve69

**Posted by Steve69** 6/10/2024 8:31 AM

BobE wrote:
My question is; as the wheel appears to marked as a 4.5” bolt cycle, why doesn’t it fit properly?
I have a space saver wheel/tire with a 4.5” bolt cycle, not sure what it was from (bought from a junk yard) that fits properly w/o spacers, etc.
However, as Rudi does, a tire sealant, and an air pump would likely take up less trunk room than the space saver spare tire … might be a less stressful solution.

The bolt pattern is fine. With the 1" spacers they have there own studs on them that the wheel bolts to. My old studs where the adapter plate bolts up to hits the rim because there too long. If you look at the back side of the rim you can see where they scratched and hit the rim. I do like the sealant idea and air pump though. Take a lot less room.

**Posted by Cab4word67** 6/10/2024 9:18 AM

Im using a Honda Odisy spare tire and it fits perfectly and is the same height as my TAs but takes less space in the trunk being narrower. uses same lug nuts too.

**Posted by 6sally6** 6/10/2024 2:46 PM

Rudi wrote:
L
I personally don’t carry a spare anymore,I use tire sealant.... that and a AAA card.
.

X-2
6sally6

**Posted by Cab4word67** 6/10/2024 5:07 PM

BobE wrote:
My question is; as the wheel appears to marked as a 4.5” bolt cycle, why doesn’t it fit properly?
I have a space saver wheel/tire with a 4.5” bolt cycle, not sure what it was from (bought from a junk yard) that fits properly w/o spacers, etc.
However, as Rudi does, a tire sealant, and an air pump would likely take up less trunk room than the space saver spare tire … might be a less stressful solution.

I sure could have used that extra room on our trip, something to ponder

**Posted by Nos681** 6/10/2024 6:05 PM

BobE wrote:
My question is; as the wheel appears to marked as a 4.5” bolt cycle, why doesn’t it fit properly?

My adapters go from 4.5”x5 to 4.5”x5.
The studs already in front hubs and rear axles extended to approximately 1-1/4”.

A small amount is proud of the wheel spacer thickness.

Some wheels and spares have a void on backside where the studs can hide.

**Posted by rpm** 6/10/2024 11:01 PM

Mount it to your mill and clearance the area.

**Posted by BobE** 6/11/2024 5:01 AM

Steve69 wrote:
BobE wrote:
My question is; as the wheel appears to marked as a 4.5” bolt cycle, why doesn’t it fit properly?
I have a space saver wheel/tire with a 4.5” bolt cycle, not sure what it was from (bought from a junk yard) that fits properly w/o spacers, etc.
However, as Rudi does, a tire sealant, and an air pump would likely take up less trunk room than the space saver spare tire … might be a less stressful solution.
The bolt pattern is fine. With the 1" spacers they have there own studs on them that the wheel bolts to. My old studs where the adapter plate bolts up to hits the rim because there too long. If you look at the back side of the rim you can see where they scratched and hit the rim. I do like the sealant idea and air pump though. Take a lot less room.

Got it, thanks for the clarification.

**Posted by MS** 6/11/2024 9:10 AM

Take one of the wheel adapters off the car. Place it in the back of the wheel with the adapter’s studs going through the five holes in the wheel. Bolt it on snug with all five lug nuts. Use the remaining five holes in the adapter to use as a drill bushing to drill with a 1/2” drill bit into the back of the offending areas of the wheel.
No need for any special marking techniques or mill fixtures. Just dead-brain some 1/2” holes for clearance. Be careful to not enlarge the holes in the adapter. Some 1/2” ID thin wall tubing around the drill bit would help protect the adapter’s holes.

**Posted by Greg B** 6/11/2024 9:52 AM

I kept the wheel kit out of my 16' when I traded it in. I put the air can thingy back in it's place. Hope I can use it like I was thinking I could.