456 Spare Tire Kit for about $100

I’ve searched the forum for a spare tire solution and found none other than suggestions that you look on ebay for one that costs $2000 or carry lots of fix-a-flat. I have towing insurance and roadside assistance, so that’s not a problem either. I’ve just never had a car without a spare, on purpose. There is also the issue of what you do with the flat tire. But, I have a back seat, so I looked for another solution. (Also, not believing everything I read, I checked with Ferrparts and confirmed that you might can get the Ferrari 18” spare rim, but the stock space-saver tire is “NLA”.)

Our cars have a 5X108mm bolt pattern (that’s 5X4.25” in Americaneze). So do certain year models of Fords, some Taurus’ for example. Some of these have tiny spare tires that will fit in our boots (or trunks, as I used to call them). But, then I looked at the Ferrari’s lug bolts. They’re conical 14X1.5mm and about a 2” shank. They’re threaded only about the last 1/2”. Still with enough spacers, the Ford Taurus spare might work.

Here’s what I came up with last weekend. I clearly have way too much time on my hands.

Pictured below is my Ferrari Spare Tire Kit; counterclockwise are:

1. Dunlap T155/70D17 Space Miser III mounted on a T4 rim(whatever that is), 5X114.3mm bolt pattern aka 5X4.5”. (Found this at the 1st used tire place I stopped at, a few miles from my house. I think it’s from a Camry. Its max load is 2200+lbs vs the Ferrari’s P-Zeros 1600 lbs. It’s used, rusty and dirty, hence the imitation Gucci cover aka trash bag.) Cost……$25, Gucci bag not included.

2. 5- 14X1.5 ball-type lug bolts, 40mm shank. Found them on the net. Cost…….. $10.

3. 1.25” aluminum spacer – 5X108 to 5X114.3(4.5”) adapter. Found on ebay. Cost for 2…… $60 (You have to order in pairs.)

4. Folding 4-way lug wrench (don’t get the metric version, the Ferrari lugs are 22.5mm, (WTF), which is 0.8806” or pretty nearly exactly 7/8”). Cost ….$17.

5. Large Fix-a-Flat. Cost…Was in the car along with the Agip inflator that expired in 1996.

6. 12V compressor (this is the one that burned up my cigarette lighter, see my first post on how to replace). Cost….had it….

7. Small floor jack. (Found this about 20 years ago while walking our dog. Some rednecks got stuck near our beach-house and left it. Also, already had the imitation Gucci case aka an old gym bag). Cost…….Priceless.

Everything shown here fits in the spare tire space in the truck…errrr boot…., except the jack but it has its own Gucci gym sack….errrrr bag.

So, how does it work? In a word, “Great!”

Take off the flat tire and place it in the Gucci bag for transport. Take off the 2 nibs on the rotor (not sure what these are for (see pic); perhaps to help get the original wheel on, which is a bit#@.). Takes a 12mm deep socket or break out your Ferrari tool kit and use the 12 mm wrench… errrrr spanner. Put on the adapter/spacer with the extra lug bolts (see pic; someone has to press the brakes for the front to tighten the bolts or, as I did, just stick a big screwdriver in the rotor vents and use the caliper as a stop). Mount the spare.

See pic of spare on car……As Stevie Wonder would say, “Isn’t she lovely!……”

Of course, I hope I never have to use this contraption. It’s just good to know it’s there. I test-drove it not too fast and, this is scary, I couldn’t tell much difference, except maybe on braking. Still, I wouldn’t enter any rallies.

BTW, I now have an extra spacer/ 4.5” adapter. My cost plus shipping. Send me a private message. But you can get a pair on ebay quicker than I’ll get it to you.

My dog, RICO (Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organization), likes the spare tire kit. He doesn’t like to ride in tow trucks. Too much cigar smoke with him and the driver. See last pic.

Regards……..Mark in Houston
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But .... what about the fitted luggage?

 

No....It still fits. Everything fits under the trunk floor.....except the Gucci jack......

 

Well done.

The lack of a spare has always irked me.

 

Brilliant!

 

This is a nice workable solution. Do you know the offset and wheel diameter of the original? Offset is bad for handling and wheelbearings, but since you won’t run it for a length of time (though that may depend how far from home you are when you need it!) that should not be too much of an issue. However, a significant different diameter may mess with traction or antislip control, and when mounted at the rear, you may be messing up the limited slip differential. With 155/70 you have a sidewall height of 108.5mm where the original is 114. I think that difference could be significant, although if I look at the Eurospares website all I see are spares with even lower sidewalls so that is probably no issue also. I have this kit and will check over the weekend what size and offset it is.
One last thing, wouldn’t it be better to have a spacesaver with the correct pattern? 5x108 is the same bolt pattern as many other cars including Fords. Look here: http://forums.beyond.ca/showthread/t-117406.html One of these brands is bound to have a model with a space saver that fits - though it may be needed to enlarge the center hole.

 

The 18" 360 Space Saver and the 19" 430 Space Saver will both work on the 456 w/o issue (There's a 430 SS spare in FerrariAds right now). But yeah, they aren't cheap.

While I admire your pluck, seeing that wheel on your 456 makes me want to gouge my eyes out. lol.

Cheers,

George

 

Of course it’s nice to have an original – but if it hadn’t been included with my car, I doubt I would have forked out $1000 to obtain one. I can think of a lot of things nicer than a bloody spare wheel to break money on. In fact, I'll happily contemplate selling it at that price. Any takers?

The leather jack toolbag with jack, spanner, etc was either stolen from the detailing shop my car was after I bought it, or the previous owner withheld it – my bad for not verifying its presence at the time of pickup, too. The previous owner turned out to be unsporty about it unfortunately. Ferrari is asking good money for these things, about 500 euro.
I have a nice electric jack in the car now with original spanner and gloves – but the packaging is lacking a bit in presentation. The only thing I would be willing to spend additional money on is a custom leather bag for it from my own design that fits the spare wheel. For the money that a new bag from Ferrari costs I am sure I can get something made up that is probably nicer, and for sure more practical.

 

Sorry, don't know the offset. Just eyeballing it, I'd say the spare's C.L. is outside of the original wheels C.L. by an inch or two. Given the original's 10-12" tread, I wouldn't think that's significant. Again, this is just for emergencies. Also, the diameter is about an inch less than stock. I tested it just on the front and car tracked straight and pulled maybe a little on hard breaking. As I recall, all donuts behave this way to some degree.......Not meant for performance driving....This car doesn't have traction control. On the back there's going to be about 3" difference in tire rotation....What, maybe a 1-2 degree steering input? I think I'll get another car if that would hurt the diff.......

G. Pepper, keep your eyes....Promise not to show up at any meets with it on (unless I get 3 more!). Or, on the back of a wrecker either. Aren't those the choices?......Regards to all.......

 

I see many of the new cars (like a Cadillac SRX) do not come with a spare tire, jack, lug wrenches, etc. but just a compressor with a sealant inside. This is supposed take care of a puncture hole up to a 1/4 inch.

It is a high psi unit and you just plug it in the cigar lighter and pump it up. You can then go a 100 miles or so with this sealant. It also works just as a compressor if you want.

So, since we do not have spares in our cars, cannot fit a jack under the car anyhow, have nowhere to store spares, etc., I thought a purchase of this type unit would be a solution to my worries about having a flat and no spare.

So, I did purchase a Cadillac SRX compressor/sealant unit. ($150) Pretty nice little compact unit. Uses a latex type sealant that will not hurt your tire or TPMS sensors...so they say. The Fix-It-In-A-Can uses a different sealant which can damage things...so they say.

Also, I can take this unit when I take my Xterra off roading in the Arizona Strip. I've had 2 flats down there in one day so this compressor/sealant unit will maybe be helpful there also.

I also keep a satellite phone, walkiie talkies and GPS in this bag.

So now I'm feeling more secure!!

Jay
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Great, even looks good!

 

Nice ideas but I keep a small 2 x 3 plastic card with numbers on it and three letters: AAA .

Such an item has produced a flat bed and driver out of seemingly nowhere.

 

Mark- Nice solution and reasonably priced.

 

Cool - but what do you do with the wheel you've taken off...say you've got a group of nattily dressed people inside the car filling the available seats?
Philip

 

Philip- Hide it and come pick it up later with the wife's SUV. Either that or cut off the tire.

More options in a 456, thogh, but that is the answer for a Maranello.

 

Aha another poor trusting soul - or someon who only drives the F car during working hours. Last Summer in I-20, AAA advised no spare tire was available and they could only get a flat bed to me in 6 to 8 hours at 10 pm! So just like the gun lobby says - you only have yourself to blame.

 

I carry a 12 volt compressor with no sealant. Fill her up, drive a few miles, repeat. Will get you somewhere they can fix a flat.

 

Perhaps correct. I live in CA and abundance of flatbeds are to be found. Carrying a spare might be in order, but never had the problem. However, have used the flatbed at least five-six times for either car over the last few years.

 

Me 2 Terry,

But I also carry a can of fix a flat until I can get somewhere they can fix a flat.

I was also thinking of getting one of those plug tools they use when the hole is to big.

cheers,

Bill

 

That's a good idea, Bill. Pull the nail and plug. Then patch electively. But carry a compressor too as you lose some air when you plug.

Oh, and carry the tow hook too.

Barry

 

Hi Barry,

I have never been without a compressor or a tow hook...

All I have to do is stop talking about the plug thing and get one from my tire guys !

Cheers,

Bill

 

With the plug kit, you (and I) will be completely covered. It's time to go to Pep Boys!

 

Bill, I've kept the yellow TOW arrow on my 550...so I know where the receptacle is without looking it up in the Owners Manual.
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hahaha.....

Barry, I called my tire guys right after i posted, they will get me one.

But he said that it's not that easy to push it thru with the tire is still on the car, fronts ok rears might be a problem.

Still worth having.

cheers,

Bill

 

Bill, most nails, screws, etc. wind up in the rear tires because the front tires set them up for it. For front tires, you can turn the wheels for easier access. It's a bit more difficult in the rear, but I've seen it done on my car in the past. Pack a plastic sheet in the trunk...you gotta lay on the ground to do it.

My 944 turbo came with a plastic drop cloth.

Barry
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