Are Fiero Spare Tires Usable? (Page 1/4)
Dennis LaGrua DEC 10, 10:38 PM
The space saver spares in our Fieros are 30+ years old. Most that I have seen have never been used but rubber typically degrades some over time. I am just wondering if anyone has used their spare recently and the result? IIRC they are rated for 50 mph use over a limited time but I'd be a bit uncomfortable using them in anything but an emergency. Assuming that storage factors and climate have an effect on tire life, could it be that there is any life left in these tires? Does anyone believe that they are still usable?

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" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "

Easy8 DEC 10, 11:05 PM
I would go with a big fat NO on Jimmy with that one.... guess what's the worst you can do, blown the spare, rip up the little rim and wreck the car. Not me, not to mention big brakes and no spare in ky chop... stock car has one but it's the wrong bolt pattern... came with the car and I have never tossed it out.
fieroguru DEC 10, 11:12 PM
I think you can still buy replacement tires.
Steel DEC 10, 11:22 PM
I was able to get a new tire for my '88 spare. Was special ordered and took a day to get it though, was less than 60 bucks mounted. I've now removed the spare from my car as it will not clear my brake upgrades. I'm working on a compartment modification and a new spare that will clear my brakes front/back when needed. I drive my cars very hard and do a lot of long trips and don't feel like sitting on the side of the road begging for help in the middle of nowhere.

Driving through Minnesota a handful of times in the last 4 years on scenic trips claimed two of my tires, that state is full of surprises.......
ltlfrari DEC 11, 10:23 AM
I read (probably on here) that hte spare is part of the front end crash protection so even if not usable, it's worth while having in there just for the protection it adds.

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Anything I might say is probably worth what you paid for it, so treat it accordingly!

Dave

www.ltlfrari.com

theogre DEC 11, 12:10 PM
"Are Old Spare Tires Usable?"
> 6 to 8 years = Not really... > 10 years = No. And that's for all vehicles. IOW About same rule for any normal tire.
If you must use old ones, derate them more then 50mph max meaning you drive at slow speeds and short distance as possible. Like have a flat on a highway go get to next exit then park or if lucky get to a tire store near by.

But If the sidewall(s) or tread is cracked and showing cord then units is total trash and do not use. Most spare only has 1 Cord layer and exposed to air etc can weaken them and if used fail very fast. (Many car and light truck tires have only 1 cord layer in the sidewall too.)

Even "hidden" Spares get Ozone and other pollution inside and out that can wreck them almost as fast as normal tires. Spares outside or worse under a vehicle get road salt etc and even the rim can rot.
Most "Shop air" is contaminated w/ oil and/or water on top of polluted air to fill even new tires.
Plus compact spares need 60psi that puts more stress on them over time.

Tire Rack has mounted spares and/or just the tire I think. Haven't talk to them in years. Is Not in main tire menu by car etc so call or use contact page.
Go by exact tire type... T125/70D15

If you mount a spare... Should use a tire cage to set the bead and first fill like big truck tires. 60psi can hurt you if new tire has any problem for mounting.

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Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
(Jurassic Park)

The Ogre's Fiero Cave

Dennis LaGrua DEC 11, 12:39 PM
So the consensus is that the original spare in the Fiero is most probably trash. Mine still looks brand new and never used but I have no idea how long it will hold up under use. These spares were probably filled with nitrogen at the factory so I believe that it would have long useful life but the unanswered question is how long?

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" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "

theogre DEC 11, 02:04 PM

quote
Originally posted by Dennis LaGrua:
These spares were probably filled with nitrogen at the factory so I believe that it would have long useful life but the unanswered question is how long?

Not likely. More likely filled w/ Clean Dry Air at best at whatever factory make these. (Cleaner and Drier then most Shops and DIY can even dream about.) Nitrogen cost way more money and GM doesn't spend money and most have used "shop air" or worse many times since to fill a low/"flat" spare.

I've seen normal and spares w/ a lot of water dirt oil because people use "Shop air" or small air compressors they own or local station w/ stand alone outside compressors that have little or no tank or anything else to keep out crap. Some Might have basic intake air filters to prevent wear problem in the units but little or no tanks etc to stop polluted wet air entering the tires.
Small tanks, < 5gal, are often too small to block water in air in the tank in many cases. Even when they trap some water, owners often don't drain them often causing compressor problems and wet air going thru them. Them add most small systems, say < 10-15gal, don't have outlet water traps etc either. Driers big enough to do anything are too big to have on most portable compressors.
Lou6t4gto DEC 11, 02:48 PM
a "Spare tire", is only designed to get you TO "somewhere" to get your "normal" tire fixed. I feel if it still looks new, No Cracks, It is Probably "usable for What it was MEANT For". 10 miles or so, I don't believe it will cause a problem. I've seen some people put them on and drive for a year ! not too smart, but for a spare......
pmbrunelle DEC 11, 08:23 PM

quote
Originally posted by ltlfrari:

I read (probably on here) that hte spare is part of the front end crash protection so even if not usable, it's worth while having in there just for the protection it adds.




I'd like to know if the spare tire has a specific role / purpose during a crash.

OR, is the story more along the lines of: the Fiero was crash-tested with the spare, therefore crash test results without the spare in place cannot be guaranteed.

Kind of how like alcohol is contraindicated with many medicines, not necessarily because of a known incompatibility, but rather that nobody bothered to verify compatibility.

[This message has been edited by pmbrunelle (edited 12-11-2018).]