Ever had a puncture at speed?

[johnsco]

A high-speed blow-out is an experience I've always managed to avoid - Surprising considering the substantial milages I used to cover - Often in my customer's poorly-maintained vehicles.
When I recently bought the second-hand C200 Kompressor, one of the first jobs I did was to check out the spare.
1. I tried to inflate the collapsable spare wheel
Fell at the first hurdle- The MB electric air pump was there in the boot but wouldn't work.
2. When I'd repaired it, I inflated the spare, checked that it was OK and held pressure .... Good news .... It was OK.
3. When I came to fit it, I found that there were only three MB short bolts instead of five ... Bought a new set.

How easy it would have been not to bother and fall into these bear-traps at the side of the road.
Better to check it and be safe !

 

[TeddyRuxpin]

That reminds me - the tyre on most people's space saver spare has probably never been changed... might be worth looking into how much one of those costs!

 

[johnsco]

That reminds me - the tyre on most people's space saver spare has probably never been changed... might be worth looking into how much one of those costs!

I wondered myself whether there was a "Replace by" date for the collapsable spare.
Mine has obviously never been on the car and has been in the boot for 16 years waiting for its day in the sun.
At 16 years old, I would not fit a road tyre.
However - The collapsable spare is only for limited-mileage and limited-speed use.
I've checked it out.
It's damage free, no cracks in the tyre and it hold pressure.
It's back in the boot for emergencies only.

 

[Petrol Pete]

Around 2003 hot summer day M5 North Vauxhall Omega estate +/- 80 mph Lane 3 Right rear tyre went down suddenly , no drama (not much traffic) Just steered the car to the hard shoulder and drove slowly until under the shade of of a bridge . No way was I going to sit in the car with the air con running and no way was I going to change it myself. Recovery company was on the way


Two reasons. Dangerous to change ANY wheel on the hard shoulder, never mind the one closest to the live lane . More importantly this was not my first Omega (company car) and anyone who has had one can tell you that removing a rear wheel can be almost impossible without a big hammer or a sideways jack.

Reason being the rear drum handbrake (as found on many MB cars) is not flush as with an MB but is recessed into the wheel , so a disc/drum arrangement that goes thorough 1000's of heat cycles binds itself to the alloy wheel that is pressed over it ...ask me how I know.

As an aside to my over long post a police officer pulled up and asked if I was OK , I said yes and she asked do I not have a jack and a spare tyre , I replied in the affirmative.

She then asked " Then why don't you change it then ? " I offered to hold her hat while she changed it for me , she refused and drove off.

TBH I got more of a fright when a cam belt went at speed. = No power steering , no brake boost rear wheels driving a blown V6 , automatic so no clutch to stomp on , every light on the dash comes on , car slowing down at an alarming rate with no brake lights showing ,not good.

Sorry for rambling on .

 

[slipons]

Glad you got it sorted, and that's a nice looking E63.....