Spare Tire Frustration

[Tyler]

So i took my spare out of my car almost 2yrs ago and went to put it back in a couple of weeks ago and it took me 2 hours. The damn thing would not go in and was saying to myself is this cause i filled it up with 60psi of air and it's bigger now? Was told that should not matter. I went under the car and tried lifting it up and had no luck so i took out the 2 1/2 ton jack and lifted the car up. Again it still would not go in, i had it lined up dead center and it need to go up another 1/4 but it wouldn't budge. So then i took out the bmw jack lifted the car up then took the original jack i was using and jacked the spare tire up and that wasn't helping out that much either. I do not know what the hell i did but after 1 45min it finally locked in place. I mean what a friggin pain in the rear, this is the stupidest setup I've ever seen. Hell it looks simple but it's really a pain, comes out like butter goes in like a nuclear weapon nice n easy and all the time in the world.

Sorry but a simple tire install frustrated the hell out of me and my dad. I took 3 shots of Ocean Vodka while starring at my vehicle trying to come up with a solution.

[bullmand]

That's really odd. I've had mine on and off the car more times than I care to remember and I've never had a problem with it at all. I've always thought the design was pretty elegant.

[L84THSKY]

The design is good, but getting it in isn't. When I swapped my diff and halfshafts, I had a hell of a time getting mine in. No way this is an easy job by yourself.

Originally Posted by bullmand

That's really odd. I've had mine on and off the car more times than I care to remember and I've never had a problem with it at all. I've always thought the design was pretty elegant.

[timonster]

BMW includes a special handle to lift the spare tire in place. The tool is part #51718165737 and is screwed into the spare tire support. Simply place the spare tire onto the support, lining up the small guide points. Move the spare directly under the hole, screw on the handle and lift into place. (You might have to squeeze the spring clips before the spare locks in.) Don't forget to secure the tire with the hex nut, or you will hear a thump sound at every stop.

[mohaughn]

Yeah, without using that tool it is a pain, but with the tool it takes no more than 1 minute to do it.

[Panzer_M]

I got an extra tool if anyone needs it.

[Tyler]

Hmm thats strange i don't have that. There is no place for that to be put in my spare tire area. Every space is taken up with tools for the car.

Still not user friendly imo.

[L84THSKY]

I was dying to use that emoticon.

Originally Posted by Panzer_M

I got an extra tool if anyone needs it.

[Panzer_M]

I'll take a pic of the Club Sports tools, never removed any of them from the OE spots, to show where it goes in the tray, Plus I got to find the box with the extra tire tool from the 97 Ti.

[Panzer_M]

#9 is the spare tire tool.

09 HANDLE 1 51718165737 $5.47

[DustenT]

Originally Posted by Panzer_M

#9 is the spare tire tool.

09 HANDLE 1 51718165737 $5.47

No sh!t. I always wondered what that was...

[Tyler]

So thats what that part is in my trunk.. Ha ha i guees i have that.

[Panzer_M]

I never realized what #8 was, until I read the breakdown of the tool kit...before just i used a screwdriver and part# 6 to do the plugs.

[aceyx]

Nobody reads the manual?

[Tyler]

Originally Posted by aceyx

Nobody reads the manual?

I did 5yrs ago when it was purchased.... I only break it out when somebody needs a question answered and i know it's in there.