I decided my 30 year old rock-hard spare tire had to be replaced. I found it’s impossible to find a new spare online, so I decided to visit a salvage yard. Sure enough, I found the T125/70D15 tire was a common size on several junked cars. I found the newest car I could find, with the spare (a wrecked 2004 Hyundai). The manufactured date on the tire says 2003, and the rubber had never been used. I didn’t bother measuring to see if the 4 bolt pattern was the same as the Delorean’s. The cashier said $12, and I felt great about my purchase.
Old tire:
Old tire, new tire:
I jacked up the car, and removed a rear wheel to see if my new hub would clear the brake caliper. It didn’t. And the 4 bolt pattern wasn’t correct. That’s ok, the Delorean’s aluminum rim looks nicer.
So I visited a tire shop, and asked them to transfer the newer tire to the D rim. They said they didn’t have the tools to do it. They also said new spares can’t be bought, because the automobile Industry has 100% of the market. Yup, I confirmed that.
So I visited another tire shop, and they said they transfer it. They even disposed of the no-longer-needed steel rim.
New(er) tire, old rim:
My spare, with a can of fix a flat, a plastic tire bag, and some tie down straps. Things I hope to never use.
Costs:
| Aurora Auto Parts | Salvage Yard Admission Fee |
2.00 |
| (2003) Kumho T125/70D15 Spare Tire |
10.00 |
|
| EPA |
1.00 |
|
| Tax |
0.77 |
|
| Discount Tire | Mount |
4.50 |
| Dismount |
9.00 |
|
| Tire Disposal Fee |
3.00 |
|
| Valve |
2.99 |
|
| Tax |
0.51 |
|
|
Total |
$33.77 |