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Spare Wheel Well - Space?
phantom - October 11th, 2004 at 08:48 PM

Just how much room should there be for my spare wheel in the front of the car?

I have a 69 bug with stock rims and 165 15 tyres, nothing exciting. I've been investigating getting a jackclip to hold the jack beside the wheel (like what is supposed to be there) but realised - it won't fit!

My spare is jammed in tight - in fact I place the wheel in then push as hard as I can to get it into the well enough so that I can close the hood. It just makes it in. There is no room to spare on the side for the jack.

How much room should I have there? And if I have lost space....how would this have happened?

Ideas? Thanks.....


Special Air Service - October 13th, 2004 at 09:52 PM

I had a 69 bug with the same problem, had to really push the wheel in to get the boot to shut but I still had the jack where it was supposed to be.I think the problem is the spare wheel space is/was designed to fit a 5.60 x 15 biased ply tyre which is a different shape than a 165R15 radial therfore the 165 wont fit as far down as it should. I bought my 72 standard beetle with the original 5.60 x 15 in it and when I changed over to a 165 it is much tighter fit and I have had heaps of trouble with the tyre/body sqeaking as I drive down the road.you could try a 155R15 and see if that makes any difference, slightly smaller diameter though.
Dont take this as gospel ,somebody's bound to come along and correct me.:blah


*did* - October 14th, 2004 at 12:05 PM

I tend to agree that 165R15's do differ widely, a michelin xz 165 barely fits in my 69, i had a khumo 165 that didnt fit at all. i also have a 155R15 which does fit well in my 70.