Re: Wheels & Jack

Posted by Fish'n Jim On 2023/10/25 11:25:05

Loo-king good!
Spares were from a different road and tire era and if you have a spare you need a jack. Only large vehicles, some SUVs, trucks etc come with full size now.
The '50s era jacks were a bit more substantial than the '60 on. They all have a tendency to not hold without a stop latch mechanism. Inspect anything that old for working order before use. Main thing is level firm ground to use, maybe a wide block of wood to steady the base and a chock. No e-brake on the front, if he rear is jacked.
FYI:Some of these era, the rears are difficult to remove and require special technique due to fender clearance with radials.
I'd only carry a 2nd jack if I was going on a trip or long drive so long as the tires are new. [May be needed for other failures too.] Maybe best to trailer, if available. Leave the spare in the trailer until you show/needed. I mortally injured my back lifting a spare out of a '60 vehicle that had it stuffed up under the package tray area as a teen. So be careful and use proper lift technique removing from a well.
Most of today's tires, if you pick up a nail or screw, will slow leak and not go flat right away. I've averaged 2 tire punctures a year for decades, and currently 4 so far this year and none resulted in not getting home or road side change and I'm towing, too.(8 tires rolling) Usually on the road, can get to a tire shop, if bad, and I carry a portable electric air pump and one of those cans of tire flat stuff. Just have to be careful where you go.
Spare wells are notorious for rot out if the holes get blocked and water lays. They should be fiberglass with no holes, in my opinion, but what do I know? They sell universal replacements.