Important! : Spare Wheel DANGERS!

  1. Newbie Joined: Jan 2012 Wickford Posts: 15 2001 Saxo Desire 1.1
    #1
    BE CAREFUL!!!

    The spare wheel assembley for my saxo is underneath the back of the care by the end of the exhause pipe (im going to assume that this is the same for every saxo) and is held together by a series of a frame, wheel and the bolt that stops it falling down and crashing to the ground.

    About two months ago I heard a loud bang followed by the scraping of metal, I wasn't going fast but I stopped the car and worked out that the bolt that stopped it all falling apart has snapped in half and therefore the whole spare wheel and everything that comes with it was now over the road. It didn't cause a big problem because there was no traffic at the time, I managed to fix it together again with a wire coat hanger and dumped the wheel in my boot and later bought another bolt (that cost me £20 the cheek of it!)

    Well today I was on a busy A road in morning rush hour and it happened all over again - except this time I nearly caused several accidents and stopped one lane of the road for a good half an hour. I recovered the spare wheel and a miniture car jack but as for the rest of the stuff I kept there - its now in a million pieces and I felt rather embarassed.

    Check your spare wheel assembely and dont end up like me!
  2. Saxperience Addict Joined: Oct 2008 Plymouth, Fiddling - under a two poster ramp Posts: 14064 Audi
    #2
    ahh nah man! thats nasssty!

    i resolved this problem by throwing the spare and jack away and taking the cage off. i won that war!
    1 user thanked this post:
  3. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Dec 2006 Maidstone Posts: 8210 Golf TDI
    #3
    Like any standard bolt on these, prone to snapping at some point over it's 10-15 year life.

    My cage and spare wheel is still there but I need to get it off really and just buy some of that tyre foam stuff.
  4. Frequent Poster Joined: Dec 2011 Thorne+Grimsby Posts: 717 S2GTi / Megane cc
    #4
    I guess that might have happened to mine at some point, as someone has drilled through the boot floor and bolted a big plate with a lage bolt that goes through the spare wheel and physically bolts it to the floor.
    Only found out when I lowered the cage to find the spare still attached t the boot floor.
    I've since taken it al out and carry a tin of emergency stuff.
  5. Frequent Poster Joined: Dec 2011 Loughborough Posts: 760 Black MK2 Saxo VTR 02
    #5
    I don't even have a spare wheel. I have locking nuts and no key for them so i can't see the point in carrying around a spare wheel i can't use. I need to get some Tyre foam stuff too.
  6. Regular Poster Joined: Jan 2012 dereham Posts: 429 mitsubishi carisma saxo vtr
    #6
    well how u get the wheel off to change break pads and stuff ?
  7. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Dec 2008 Lancs Posts: 4124 JP4S'd R.
    #7
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by m3wood View Post
    well how u get the wheel off to change break pads and stuff ?
    If you don't know how to take a wheel off.. DONT GO NEAR IT.

    Geeez.. what is the world coming to?!
    5 users thanked this post: , , , ,
  8. Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Nov 2005 Coventry Posts: 17782 Fiesta ST150
    #8
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by saxova View Post
    If you don't know how to take a wheel off.. DONT GO NEAR IT.

    Geeez.. what is the world coming to?!
    lmao, couldn't have been said any better

    Tyre foam...nasty stuff! Why not just get recovered and then get your tyre repaired?
  9. Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 31279 Citroen Saxo VTS, S60 D5
    #9
    Aware of that.

    Mines fine though. Lol..
  10. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Sep 2007 Someones Bumhole Posts: 5721 Mk2 16v Desire
    #10
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by saxova View Post
    If you don't know how to take a wheel off.. DONT GO NEAR IT.

    Geeez.. what is the world coming to?!
    lmao he was asking the other lad how he would change pads etc as he dosent have a key for locking nut...... not actually asking how to take a wheel off!!!
  11. Saxperience Addict Joined: Oct 2008 Plymouth, Fiddling - under a two poster ramp Posts: 14064 Audi
    #11
    tyre foam - is shit.
  12. Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Nov 2005 Coventry Posts: 17782 Fiesta ST150
    #12
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Tom5190 View Post
    lmao he was asking the other lad how he would change pads etc as he dosent have a key for locking nut...... not actually asking how to take a wheel off!!!
    good point lol, yet you didn't tell him....how rude!
  13. Frequent Poster Joined: Dec 2011 Loughborough Posts: 760 Black MK2 Saxo VTR 02
    #13
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Tom5190 View Post
    lmao he was asking the other lad how he would change pads etc as he dosent have a key for locking nut...... not actually asking how to take a wheel off!!!
    I don't have the key. I know how to take a wheel off lol.

    As for the pads, i don't basically. Untili can get the locking nuts off which is hopefully soon as i only have 1 black wheel at the moment!
  14. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Dec 2010 Chesterfield/Nottingham Posts: 7147 dead vts. twisted 106 gti. '03' vtrrrr
    #14
    what spare wheel cage!?
    i removed it when i had the vts, not got round to removing it on the 106 yet.

    i don't carry spare wheels with me, ...thats what i have breakdown cover for
  15. Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 31279 Citroen Saxo VTS, S60 D5
    #15
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by danny-vts View Post
    what spare wheel cage!?
    i removed it when i had the vts, not got round to removing it on the 106 yet.

    i don't carry spare wheels with me, ...thats what i have breakdown cover for
    lol..
    #Rac hai erm whats up mate?
    you - flat tyre..
    #Rac do you not have a spare pal?
    you - no mate i dont need a spare wheel.

  16. Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Nov 2005 Coventry Posts: 17782 Fiesta ST150
    #16
    its AA not RAC
  17. Saxperience Addict Joined: Oct 2008 Plymouth, Fiddling - under a two poster ramp Posts: 14064 Audi
    #17
    and seeing as 99% of cars now come with NO spare.
    either Foam or a compressor.
  18. Frequent Poster Joined: Dec 2011 Loughborough Posts: 760 Black MK2 Saxo VTR 02
    #18
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Baz View Post
    its AA not RAC
    It's RAC not AA
  19. Saxperience Addict Joined: Oct 2008 Plymouth, Fiddling - under a two poster ramp Posts: 14064 Audi
    #19
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Baz View Post
    its AA not RAC
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by link_heroz View Post
    It's RAC not AA
    it might be Greenflag...
  20. Established Member Joined: Dec 2011 co durham Posts: 1150 cammed saxo vts(not any more) leon cupra
    #20
    is it not illegal to have no spare wheel? thought it was a m.o.t fail?
  21. Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Nov 2005 Coventry Posts: 17782 Fiesta ST150
    #21
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by slimwiltaz View Post
    is it not illegal to have no spare wheel? thought it was a m.o.t fail?
    no wheel = nothing to fail it on
  22. Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Apr 2008 Bedford & Manchester Posts: 17504
    #22
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by slimwiltaz View Post
    is it not illegal to have no spare wheel? thought it was a m.o.t fail?
    Nope, it's acceptable to not have one.

    although if you have one and it's bald, thats a fail.

    I have a can of tyre weld, it's probably shit, but better than nothing. although I do have a nice BBS RC wheel sitting in my spare wheel well

    Never had a spare on any of the saxo's or 106's i've owned, and never needed one luckily.
  23. Saxperience Addict Joined: Oct 2008 Plymouth, Fiddling - under a two poster ramp Posts: 14064 Audi
    #23
    a defective spare is an advisory.

    it is not a legal requirement to have one.

    like rear wipers - not a legal requirement but they can advise it if its damaged / split / missing...but its not part of the test :s
  24. Established Member Joined: Dec 2011 co durham Posts: 1150 cammed saxo vts(not any more) leon cupra
    #24
    ah right thanks guys. might take my spare out then as the cage looks rusted when you look at car from behind, stands out at night when your following it with lights on if you get me?
  25. Frequent Poster Joined: Aug 2010 Le Mans, France Posts: 976 VTS, Hawkeye WRX, Def90 & Freelander HSE (ex-VTR)
    #25
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by NismoSteve View Post
    I guess that might have happened to mine at some point, as someone has drilled through the boot floor and bolted a big plate with a lage bolt that goes through the spare wheel and physically bolts it to the floor.
    Only found out when I lowered the cage to find the spare still attached t the boot floor.
    That's a security device used on some Saxo's to stop spare wheel theft (I have it on the VTS but not the VTR).
  26. Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Oct 2005 Aycliffe Posts: 32205 Saxo VTS
    #26
    If you tighten the bolt up too much then it can suddenly shear, the trick is to tighten the bolt just to the point where the wheel cannot freely move.

    Happened to me about 4 years ago though, on an A3 sliproad. No accidents thankfully.
  27. Infrequent Poster Joined: Feb 2012 Posts: 173 52 Saxo Desire 1.1
    #27
    this happened to me today and the wheel hit the car behind, doing away with it now!
  28. Established Member Joined: Jun 2011 Pontefract Posts: 1095 Nissan 200sx s14a Citroen Saxo VTS Austin Mini C
    #28
    Had my frame welded up to make it stronger and a new bolt and hook so hopefully it wont fall off!
  29. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Aug 2009 Oxford Posts: 4547 '55 Plate C2 VTS
    #29
    Just roll with no cage or wheel tbh
  30. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Dec 2008 Gloucester Posts: 3000 Citroen Saxo VTR Renault 5
    #30
    FAO all the people with tyre foam. Surely you lot are FUCKED if you have an actual blowout
  31. Regular Poster Joined: Jan 2012 Posts: 342
    #31
    Ive pulled mine out and the cage in the saxos ive had. In my corsa Ive no spare wheel well as its all full of audio gear

    Never needed it in the corsa in a year, so hoping i wont in the saxo either. Plus spare= weight
  32. Established Member Joined: Jun 2011 Pontefract Posts: 1095 Nissan 200sx s14a Citroen Saxo VTS Austin Mini C
    #32
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by CJMackin View Post
    Ive pulled mine out and the cage in the saxos ive had. In my corsa Ive no spare wheel well as its all full of audio gear

    Never needed it in the corsa in a year, so hoping i wont in the saxo either. Plus spare= weight
    Used my spare twice in 6 month :-( thats what driving to Uni every day does for me
  33. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 9100 Amazon green VTR 16v, Inferno RS clio 182
    #33
    I cant fathom how that bolt would snap quite so easily - its a pretty meaty one. How tight are you doing it up, doesnt the cage bite into the tyre on the spare with it being so tight?
    Mine got attacked with a grinder and put in the bin tbf, no need for it on mine I dont even have a spare
  34. Regular Poster Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 330
    #34
    Mine fell off last week,luckily there was nothing behind me.
    its now well tight,im glad i was'nt on the motorway.
  35. Established Member Joined: Mar 2011 Birmingham Posts: 2148 Rover BRM, Rover 800 Coupe, Mk6 golf.
    #35
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by VTRelite View Post
    FAO all the people with tyre foam. Surely you lot are FUCKED if you have an actual blowout
    Thats true, but so is everyone with a new-ish car which dont come with spares anymore.
  36. Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2007 smurfland. Posts: 17346 Ex saxo owner.
    #36
    2 things that spring to mind here.

    1st the garage I worked in we always wire brushed the thread for the spare wheel bolt,then greased it up.1 to stop rust & 2 to aid removal.

    2 The idea of having the wheel under the car,on one hand is good because it saves space on the other hand its not good because the tyre can perish over time due to heat.
  37. Frequent Poster Joined: Dec 2002 United Kingdom Posts: 700 Mk6 Golf GTD Saxo VTS Project Rally Car
    #37
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by VTRelite View Post
    FAO all the people with tyre foam. Surely you lot are FUCKED if you have an actual blowout
    I think if you have a blowout, a spare pair of pants would be more useful than a spare tyre

    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Gandi699 View Post
    I cant fathom how that bolt would snap quite so easily - its a pretty meaty one. How tight are you doing it up, doesnt the cage bite into the tyre on the spare with it being so tight?
    Mine got attacked with a grinder and put in the bin tbf, no need for it on mine I dont even have a spare
    Seems to me as if somebody has tried to have your spare away, possibly trying to cut the bolt but getting scared off before getting away with it, then coming back for a second go. Could be wrong though.

    When I cut the bolt off my project car, I couldn't undo it as it was seized solid, it was still mega strong.
  38. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Mar 2009 Uppingham, Rutland Posts: 9569 mk1 JP4'd VTR, '16 Fabia Monte Carlo
    #38
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by VTRelite View Post
    FAO all the people with tyre foam. Surely you lot are FUCKED if you have an actual blowout
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by SGregg View Post
    I think if you have a blowout, a spare pair of pants would be more useful than a spare tyre
    haha i was gonna say the same thing, last thing on my mind...

    ive carried my spare alloy around for 3 and half years, suddenly comes to me that i have never carried a jack or wheel bar so it came straight out!

    also it looks ugly as you can see it from behind the car

    and removed a nice bit of weight, less fuel comsumption, hippys love me
  39. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 9100 Amazon green VTR 16v, Inferno RS clio 182
    #39
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by SGregg View Post
    I think if you have a blowout, a spare pair of pants would be more useful than a spare tyre



    Seems to me as if somebody has tried to have your spare away, possibly trying to cut the bolt but getting scared off before getting away with it, then coming back for a second go. Could be wrong though.

    When I cut the bolt off my project car, I couldn't undo it as it was seized solid, it was still mega strong.
    I just cut the lot off, saves hassle. Plus the bolt was seized to the hook - quick dab of the grinder and its gone
  40. Established Member Joined: Sep 2011 Ebbw Vale Posts: 1180 Clio 182 Daily, 106 GTi Track Project
    #40
    No spare wheel so cut the cage off, can of tyre weld although If I get a blowout I'll have to cross that bridge when i come to it...
  41. Infrequent Poster Joined: Mar 2012 Posts: 129
    #41
    I was in my mate old saxo (rip) and we went round a corner at a normal speed and it went flying. Didn't here it ad didn't hear the scrapping untill we change the track on the cd lol. I took mine off and got a tire in a can. Job done.