Packard Forum Index » Pre-War (1899-1942)

I need to know how the side covers mount on the spare tires. I have the covers and the mirrors that mount on top for a 1935 1205 limo. as I was not the person who disassembled this vehicle, I cannot find how they go back together. can anyone help I can send pictures of what I have if needed. I have assembled them on the tire and installed the assembly in the wheel well, thinking the wheel well would hold the tread cover tight, but it does not. some people have sugested a spring of some kind at the bottom to pull the ends together. but there is no where to attach a spring unless some how on the trim screws. would love to see pictures.

It sounds like either your tread covers are "sprung" or the tire is too small. In the case of them being sprung, what I've done is take a piece of stainless welding wire and fashion a hook of sorts to hold them snug. This does require drilling a hole in the very bottom (never seen) and you'd want to be sure it lines up with a groove in the tread of the tire. Now I was saying too small a tire because it sounds like the tread cover's loose the way you describe the issue. It's possible the tire's too large and it simply won't wrap tight enough to lip over the face cover. In that case deflate the tire and see if it will go on. If it does, well you'll know what to do at that point. All of the newer tires run larger than the OEM sizes used to be because that's what most folks want, a bigger tire.

thank you for you reply, these covers appear to be new replacements. we did however discover if you put them on with the tire fully inflated helps but are still a bit loose. but once mounted in the fender wells they appear to be ok, they wiggle a bit at the lower end and are tight at the top. so a spring might be a good fix we have 700-17 tires one this car and spares. I cannot find anywhere where it says what size tires should be on this car. we have a set of 750-17 tires but they are to big for these covers.

Quote: For a 1205 Super Eight Limo Sedan, tyre size is available in the Packard Model Info section here on Site.

I will check it out. thanks for the info.

7:00 x 17 is correct for the Eight and Super Eight. The 7:50 x 17 was reserved for the Twelve whose wheel had the double-rolled rim bead and threaded nipple spokes. I believe the original tires were 6-ply though today that size usually comes in 6-ply rated but 4 actual plies.