Space saver spare question

[GoatBateman]

So I've owned my MB for all of 7 days now and yesterday i got a puncture! Now that's just bad luck and you've got to just swallow those ones.
When attempting to change over to the space saver though I ran in to problems.
Firstly I've got to say that when pumping up the space saver spare it is very weird, kind of evolves into a proper tyre like a mushroom. Quite cool though.
Once the spare was on and bolted in, the car wouldn't move anywhere, it's like the bolts locked the wheel up. There is nothing on the wheel or the hub stating to only bolt in a certain amount of bolts and in which holes though so I'm a bit puzzled

So my questions -
1) How do i know I have the right space saver for my car (bought the car from a second hand independent dealer)

2) if it is the right one why did it lock up the wheel?

 

[LTD]

If your main wheel is alloy and your space saver is steel then you should have different length bolts for each wheel.

That may well be the problem and the longer bolts have locked the hub.

 

[corned]

I would guess that this is a rear wheel we're talking about?

Have a search through the 'wheels and tyres' section. There are several posts on the subject of different length wheel bolts for alloys and steel-rimmed spares. As LTD states, the steel spare requires shorter bolts because the rim material is that much thinner, thus leading them to protrude into the hub much further, interfering with the handbrake components within.

 

[clarke77]

If its on the rear try putting it on the front as there is a bit more room. The hand brake is inside the rear hubs.

 

[Dichtung]

So I've owned my MB for all of 7 days now Firstly I've got to say that when pumping up the space saver spare it is very weird, kind of evolves into a proper tyre like a mushroom. Quite cool though.

Checked and inflated my Spacesaver the other day; - from about 28 to 61psi. No change of shape. C180 Komp.

 

[GoatBateman]

I found this on the forum. This one looks sort of like mine -

Inflating: YouTube - Vredestein Space Master

Deflating: YouTube - Vredestein Space Master

Obviously not on a Merc rim, but the same tyre.

 

[Colin_b]

So I've owned my MB for all of 7 days now Firstly I've got to say that when pumping up the space saver spare it is very weird, kind of evolves into a proper tyre like a mushroom. Quite cool though.

Checked and inflated my Spacesaver the other day; - from about 28 to 61psi. No change of shape. C180 Komp.

I suspect its the other type of spacesaver, all squashed up until you inflate it. I fear punctures in my SLK, a punctured roadwheel won't fit in the car!

 

[GoatBateman]

I fear punctures in my SLK, a punctured roadwheel won't fit in the car!

Ha! Really?
I wouldn't want to be pumping my space saver up on the side of the road by foot come to think of it. It took a while with a compressor!

So going from what other people have said, I think I just need to get hold of a set of space saver bolts just in case.

 

[2003-c180kcoupe]

I suspect its the other type of spacesaver, all squashed up until you inflate it. I fear punctures in my SLK, a punctured roadwheel won't fit in the car!

i put a can of tyreweld in the boot , i would rather try that first . my spacesaver has never been used . the bolts are still in the plastic packaging , hopefully thats where they will stay

 

[st13phil]

I fear punctures in my SLK, a punctured roadwheel won't fit in the car!

I confess that I haven't checked, but will a wheel & tyre not fit in the luggage compartment at all (I know it won't fit in the spare wheel well)?

Anyway, this is why you should never, ever carry an inflated wheel & tyre inside a car

 

[LTD]

I confess that I haven't checked, but will a wheel & tyre not fit in the luggage compartment at all (I know it won't fit in the spare wheel well)?

... and if it is full of luggage ?

Space savers show just how stupid some car designers can be.

 

[LTD]

Anyway, this is why you should never, ever carry an inflated wheel & tyre inside a car

I think most of us would have considered deflating it in the first instance. At least, I would have ...

 

[horgantrevor]

you need steel bolts for space saver and their should have been a set in boot

the ones you fitted were two long and jammed the brake shoes in hub i hope you havent done damage in side

 

[GoatBateman]

you need steel bolts for space saver and their should have been a set in boot

the ones you fitted were two long and jammed the brake shoes in hub i hope you havent done damage in side

As soon as I heard the bolt reach metal I stopped.. One of the bolts was very hard to get out though.
I'm on the look out for some now just in case.
Although, I am very keen to get the kit that my dad plugged the screw whole with so I could get to a garage.
Cleaned the whole so it was smooth, with another little tool inserted in something that looked like a piece of liquorice and then trimmed. Viola! No air escaping.

 

[grober]

COULD HAVE BEEN THIS Product : Dynaplug- Tire Repairing Tool

 

[GoatBateman]

COULD HAVE BEEN THIS Product : Dynaplug- Tire Repairing Tool

Nope wasn't this. Much more simple than this. It looks like a small piece of black rope that is very sticky. Its from the US apparently. I'm going to try and get hold of some and keep it in the car for emergencies instead of the whole spacesaver thing.
I'll get a pic up of it if I can

 

[grober]

Probably one like this BlackJack Tire Repair | Passenger Vehicle Repair Kits There are lots of these in the states -- not sure if they are strictly legal for permanent repair in the UK?? Have a look on UTube lots of videos on these. Be interested to hear which make of kit your Dad uses.

 

[st13phil]

... and if it is full of luggage ?

Space savers show just how stupid some car designers can be.

While I'm no great fan of space saver spares, I ride thousands of miles on motorcycles without a spare wheel/tyre at all and a space saver is a reasonable compromise when you consider how often punctures actually happen on modern radial tyres. Luggage can always be redistributed inside the car if needs be.

I think most of us would have considered deflating it in the first instance. At least, I would have ...

You would, and I would, but many people have no concept of the explosive force with which a damaged tyre can burst. It's a bit like petrol, really. People routinely pump enough into their car to drive half way up the country when the energy's released in a controlled fashion without giving a thought to the damage that same amount of energy can cause if its release were fast and uncontrolled