Spare Wheel ??

KenB · Jun 22, 2013

I posted this in my thread in "Newbies" ...... it is more appropriate here.( I can delete that post if needed )

I am towing with my new baby and I didn't like the idea of the inflation kit instead of a spare wheel. ( thoughts anybody ?? - no doubt discussed before although cannot find any reference ) What I have done: My existing rims are 17 inch. 1. Bought a steel rim from my local Vauxhall dealer. ( I wanted full size not a space saver !! ) This is a 6.5J and is advertised as being for "winter tyres". ( £83 with some discount ...I asked for this ) 2. Did a comparison on-line of tyre diameters as I didn't want the spare to be too much different to the existing tyres. The tyres that fit this rim are 205 - 215 wide. 3. phoned around and visited my local tyre fitter. He gave good advice as I was asking for 215 x 75 x 16 ( The rim is 16 inch not 17 inch.... 17 inch not available in steel ) This specific tyre would have been 6 mm smaller in dia - almost perfect I thought. I was told that this size tyre is for vans and is much stiffer and was advised to get a 215 x 70 16 which was a little smaller in diameter but nothing significant. 4. Took the expanded foam section out from the boot area and dropped the wheel in - perfect fit. 5. Made a small bracket ( rectangular piece of steel ) drilled a suitable hole in it and used the bolt I took out to secure it. Saved about £30 as Spares Dept wanted to sell me a bracket. 6. Found jack etc in the garage - so no expense there. Total cost £160 As I do a lot of towing and take the van to France I think this is worth it for peace of mind.

Scottyboy · Jun 27, 2013

Thanks for the information Ken we also do a lot of towing with our caravan hence the spare wheel will check size do you require different nuts to the ones on Antara I seem to think you needed nuts specific for steel wheel

Cheers

Paddymacs · Jun 27, 2013

Does anyone know if a 2009 Vauxhall astra wheels fit the antara. Phoned my local tyre dealer and that's what he suggested. Also been told to get a 6.5j x 16 steel wheel to use as a spare, when I googled this, I was quite surprised the amount of other vehicles that this wheel fitted. I also dropped into a local garage and he says that it isn't as simple as that!!!! Getting even more complicated and getting no further forward, does anyone know the correct size of steel wheel and tyre to suit? Thanks.

Grumps · Jun 27, 2013

Paddymacs said:
Does anyone know if a 2009 Vauxhall astra wheels fit the antara. Phoned my local tyre dealer and that's what he suggested. Also been told to get a 6.5j x 16 steel wheel to use as a spare, when I googled this, I was quite surprised the amount of other vehicles that this wheel fitted. I also dropped into a local garage and he says that it isn't as simple as that!!!! Getting even more complicated and getting no further forward, does anyone know the correct size of steel wheel and tyre to suit? Thanks.

Welcome to the forum.

Their are a few options have a search of the forum you will find a few threads on the subject. As far as the 2009 Antara wheel yes it will.

Have read through the threads for more info on the subject.

KenB · Jun 27, 2013

Hi 6.5J x 16 is what I got from the Vauxhall Parts Dept.I was told that it is sold as a winter rim and tyre - why you would want to put a steel rim on in winter I don't know !!

The pcd ( pitch circle diameter ) of the 5 holes will determine if the rim fits or not.

As for nuts for steel rims - I hope that the existing ones fit as I am away with the van at the moment.
When I bought the rim the guy in the Vauxhall Spares Dept told me that there were 2 brackets showing with the rim ....... he didn't mention wheel nuts so I assumed that the existing ones will fit.

You have me thinking now.

does anyone know the correct size of steel wheel and tyre to suit?

The 16 inch steel rim will take 215 x 70 x 16 tyres.
Compared to a 17 alloy the diameter is about 1 inch smaller.

As a spare this is OK.
Consider the difference in diameter between a space saver tyre and a standard tyre.

At lest with a 16 inch steel rim you can have your caravan on the back and not worry.

We just need a definitive answer regarding the wheel nuts.

Just downloaded the manual
click here

It makes reference to 16 inch steel rims and tyres ...... I can see nothing relating to a different set of nuts ??

Edited by: KenB

Scottyboy · Jun 27, 2013

215 x 70 16" thats what the VX dealer ave me still waiting on customer service to advise on nuts to use will keep you posted if and when I get a reply

KenB · Jun 27, 2013

Thanks Scottyboy

I added a manual to my last post when you were posting.

I can find no reference to different nuts for steel wheels.

Inchindown · Jun 28, 2013

If you are putting steel wheel on you shouldn't use the alloy nuts. The steel and the alloy will tend to bind together and they can be impossible to get off. There's some sort of electrical/chemical reaction takes place when the two different metals are in contact which causes them to stick together.
Get a set of steel wheel nuts, they are not that expensive.

Retired Pete · Jun 28, 2013

Hi, the name of the chemical reaction is called "Galvanic Action or Galvanic Corrosion, worked in the water industry for many years and the one that I can think of is steel and copper which can cause this Galvanic action.
When I asked the this question to VX dealer of needing a set of wheel nuts for the steel rim spare, was told that on VX the wheel nuts are all the same.
The question now is do I believe VX? please keep us posted on your findings.

KenB · Jun 28, 2013

the one that I can think of is steel and copper which can cause this Galvanic action.

Aluminium and steel do the same thing.
It is used on ships with a steel hull. The aluminium is used as a sacrificial anode.

I am not certain that the nuts would be in place long enough for this to take place.

I am also uncertain as to the composition of the existing nuts.
Any aluminium alloy would probably be too soft and the threads may strip. The studs likewise.

I know the aircraft industry use an aluminium / copper based alloy ( duralumin ) but this is only 4% copper - and copper is relatively soft.

was told that on VX the wheel nuts are all the same.

I have read this on another forum too.

I have asked a pal who works at Vauxhall to see if he can get a definitive answer.Edited by: KenB

Inchindown · Jun 28, 2013

I would imagine if the steel wheel is only going to be used as a short term spare, then it wouldn't be on long enough that would cause the alloy bolts to bind on the hub. But as they only cost less than £15 a set, I thought it was right to buy a set when I bought my spare wheel.
I know I've seen some reports that say the contour of the steel nuts is a little different from the alloy nuts, but I've not personally checked that. I might take one of the alloy bolts off the car to see if there is any difference.

Retired Pete · Jun 28, 2013

Hi all,agree with KenB I don't think the
studs are aluminium otherwise the threads would strip. If there was to be any Galvanic
corrosion you would have thought it would have be between the face to face
contacts.What my concern was, was the torque setting
between an aluminium wheel nut and a steel wheel nut and was there any
difference between the alloy wheel nut and steel wheel nut.

VX said there was only one type of wheel
nut, which would fit both alloy and steel, and that the torque settings were
the same.

On my caravan if I was to change the alloy wheel
for the steel spare there are two different torque settings.

KenB · Jun 30, 2013

Just got some more info from a pal who works at Vauxhall Ellesmere Port.He informs me that the same nuts are used on both steel and alloy rims when fitted at the factory.

Bolts are different.
They come in different lengths for alloy and steel rims.

toonarmy · Jul 6, 2013

How do you remove the foam underneath the boot. Which tool did you use to unscrew it?

KenB · Jul 6, 2013

Hi

If you look closely the central bolt has a "star" shape in the head.
( I think it is a "torx")
I had a set of interchangeable bits in a small socket set and one fitted.
I also tried an allen key - but did not have one suitable ..... hence the search for my lost socket set.

I am sure a screwdriver with a big handle would do the job.
The bolt wasn't very tight.

You need something like this:

You can get a cheap set at B&Q I have even seen them at Aldi.Edited by: KenB

toonarmy · Jul 6, 2013

Nice one, I'll have a look. Cheers.

KenB · Jul 6, 2013

Nice one

You are welcome

Lazarus · Jul 15, 2013

I have the 19" wheels on my SENav which are fitted with 235/50 R19 tyres.
Similar to the previous posts, I am looking to replace the VX 'Gunk-in-a-can', which is about as useful as tits on a fish.

Not being a car man, can anyone tell me what size spare wheel and tyrecombination would bebest suitedfor stowing inthe pre-formedboot area? I believe a 17" wheel with a 'taller' tyre could be used if the overall diameter isn't too far out from the remaining wheel/tyre combinations?

All thoughts and suggestions welcome!

-LaZ-

Scottyboy · Jul 15, 2013

Laz my wheels are 235/50R16 on my Exclusive the dealer sorted spare as part of deal which is 215/70/R16 which fits in the well once you remove the plastic insert
Make sure you get steel nuts I did not but spoke to dealers customer service and they posted first class once I made my feelings clear about salesmanship lack of technical knowledge regarding wheel hope this helps

Lazarus · Jul 15, 2013

Found an online tyre calculator which indicates that size is within -1.89%. Another combination might be a 205/75/16 which is within -0.58%. It just depends whether the 16" rim will clear all of the braking gubbins - I'll have a check at the weekend when I have access to the car andsee how much space is available.
I found the calculatorhere:http://www.alloywheels.com/Tyre_Calculator
-LaZ-

Spare Wheel ??

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