Dear McDuck,

Good p.m. and may this find you well. Because the original factory-supplied limited service spare tires are well over a decade old, I wouldn't trust my life to them. Indeed, on a 940 I imported from Louisiana (long pre-Katrina), the unused spare tire had cracks so big, I could see the steel cords!!!

I replaced these out-of-date, limited-service spares with standard tires mounted on standard Volvo steel wheels. These units are taller - and when laid into the spare tire well under the wagon's lockable storage compartment - do slightly reduce the storage space.

I had thought Philip planned to mount on the spare tire rim (with square holes) some tire narrower than factory specification. I think that would be unsound. If the replacement tire has the same footprint as the regular tire, I doubt there's a potential problem. The factory limited-service spare wheel seems pretty robust.

Even so, getting a used-but-still-true steel wheel shouldn't be "mission impossible."

Yours faithfully,

spook

This is incorrect. I've had a full size wheel and spare tire for years now. See above.

Call it an "80" series. The VW used a 165R15 in later years (i.e. after switching to radials from the 5.60-15 and 6.00-15 bias ply tires used previously). Old 122 and early 140s used these sizes too. Wagons and 164s of different years called for 175R15- try finding THAT one.

SImilarly the 240 wagon calls for a 185R14. Again it's a high-profile tire, so figure it as an "80". The larger sidewall section equals more load capacity.

I'd say using a "VW size" 165R15 on the spare rim is fine, as long as it's a decent tire. Other options are probably 185/65R15, and 195/60-15. They may raise up your rear carpet, they may not. Depends how bowed in it is.
--
Rob Bareiss, New London CT ::: Today I'm driving: 1990 745GL, M47, 273K, Hydras, Urethane bushings, Teal & Tan ::: My wife's got my 92 down in VA Beach!