Maybe this isn't the best place to post this question, but has anybody installed the spare tire kit themselves?

I bought somebody else's and am not certain yet that he sent all the parts for the mounting kit. Could somebody send me a picture of the mounting hardware installed? Even better, a set of the instructions that come with the kit? Does it matter which factory stereo is installed? Of course the Service Manual doesn't cover it...

Thanks everybody! I'm getting *very* frustrated.

Hi Tim -

Never installed one, but I have removed the one that came with my car.

Basically the crossbar is secured to either side of the rear strut towers by 4 large bolts with 11mm heads as I recall. The plastic trim in the correct location to expose the bolt holes may and may not be cut away exposing them. If it isn't, look for an outline or popout about 1/2 way between the rear shelf and the trunk floor.

The spare then hangs below that crossbar via a 6-8" long bolt, maybe 3/8 of an inch in diameter, that hooks into the bar in the center and has a threaded end on the other. Lift the tire up into place (it's a bitch to do, you may need to climb into your trunk and hold it up with your legs or something) then slip the big washer thing over the long hooked bolt, and tighten the gigantic thumb screw down.

Hope this helps... best I can recall without looking at it.

That's a start, thanks.

So if the tire hangs from the bar rather than resting on top of it, the mounting must have the side tubes pointing downward. I think I can see that now in the Trussville picture. Do the ends of the bar rest on the floor?

I've removed the trim from the strut towers and find a gold-colored plate on either side. The holes for the trim attachment are vaguely the right locations for the securing bolts, but much too small. Hard to believe this would require drilling and tapping....

Sorry can't help you directly but you could drive (a positive) to a local dealer. I would expect them to let you look at one of the cars on the lot. Just a thought.
craig

There are >100 cars on local lots. Not one has a spare tire kit as far as I can tell.

Ureka! I found one across town and got there about 10 minutes before the new owner took delivery.

The big bolts attach the bar to some big brackets that come in the kit. The rubber bumper goes at the center of the trunk edge. I still don't know what the nylon strap with two hooks on it is for...

After you screw the tire into the bracket for storage, the strap comes up under and hooks in, I guess for extra security. It's kinda redundant.

I sold my spare kit cuz I wanted some trunk room. The buyer drove down to SD from LA, and we put our cars side by side and swapped. He had a great advantage seeing mine before starting. Plus, we swapped trunk liners so he didn't have to cut his, and now I have one with no holes in it. great deal!

Originally posted by TimH
Ureka! I found one across town and got there about 10 minutes before the new owner took delivery.

The big bolts attach the bar to some big brackets that come in the kit. The rubber bumper goes at the center of the trunk edge. I still don't know what the nylon strap with two hooks on it is for... Glad you figured it out.

According to the (I think) owner's manual, that strap is designed to help you leverage the spare up into place on the mounting bracket. Never tried it, just remember reading that somewhere.

On the topic of removing the spare tire, are the mounting bar and the bolts the only hardware that was added to the car with the kit? meaning, once i take those off, are the strut towers back to "stock," so that a new tower brace might be added?

I am going through a similar situation. I purchased somebody else’s kit and he forgot to remove the three parts that are attached to the car. So I had to stop my installation of the kit. I should get those parts today and will try to take photos. The kit if ordered AFTER the fact will come with the cross bar, two brackets that attach to the strut towers using existing nuts, a spacer that attaches under the trunk lip with rivets, two brackets with spacers to attach the pipe to the strut tower brackets, some rubber squares to insulate where the pipe comes in contact with metal and the knob with washer to attach the spare to the pipe. So if you had a spare and wanted to return it to “stock” you would need to remove the brackets that are attached to the strut towers. The type of Stereo you have doesn’t matter. I did get the instructions so send me a message if you want me to send/fax you a copy

Thanks, expo1.

I've been in contact with my seller and am hopeful he'll get me the the brackets. I think I can guess which existing screws will be used when I have the pieces in hand, but may just take you up on the offer if things aren't obvious.

If anyone needs the directions for the spare tire install, send me a Private message and I will fax them to you.

I got the spare and did the swap with my stepfathers RX8 (he didn't want it) and we swapped out the trunk liners as well which makes it easier.

The link below is to a .PDF file of the Spare Tire Kit Installation & User's Instructions

LINK (http://www.sendersnj.com/rx8/Mike/spare.pdf)

I'm curious to know if I could mount a replacement 18' wheel instead of the one that comes with the Spare Tire Kit? That ways I don't have worry about driving around with a hideous yellow spare.

Jeff

Originally posted by SiMplyBluE
......That ways I don't have worry about driving around with a hideous yellow spare.

How about that poor trunk monkey :D ???? Why not spray paint the spare to your favorite color if it bothers you so much?

Thanks for the instuctions. I have the same problem. The brackets attaced to the struts didn't come. Were you able to purchase some? If so how much were they?

The person I bought the kit from still had them attached to his car. He removed them and sent them to me. I would see if your seller still has them or if you can get the parts from mazda

Originally posted by SiMplyBluE
I'm curious to know if I could mount a replacement 18' wheel instead of the one that comes with the Spare Tire Kit? That ways I don't have worry about driving around with a hideous yellow spare.

Jeff

I wouldn't worry about that the spare tire should not be driven more then the time it takes you to get to the tire shop. Just thought of something does the 18 inch tire fit in the trunk?

Expo1 - THANK YOU! I have been weighing this out and weighing this out, over and over again. When my travel take to any of my family living east of the DFW area, I find my wife and myself in some desolate areas traveling through Arkansas. Very doubtful the nearest dealer would be within 2 hours of where ever I might get a flat. This is helpful in determining I just might either buy or come up with something I can do myself for this project - I've been looking for these instructions anywhere - and the shop manual doesn't even cover this! Thanks again!

Tall......................