Spare?

The sidewall on my spare ruptured over the summer - how much does the rubber on these things run? How do you find donuts on Tirerack?

I don't think they will salvage the rim. Just buy a completely new spare.

Where would you get a spare for the Riv?

My first instinct would be to call or visit a local salvage yard and pull one from another car that used the same size. That size was likely used in dozens of models, maybe in some more recent ones. The newer the better, for obvious reasons.

Part # for spare: 9591628 (95-96), 9593686 (97-99) They used to be priced between $90-120.

car-part.com

AA wrote:

My first instinct would be to call or visit a local salvage yard and pull one from another car that used the same size. That size was likely used in dozens of models, maybe in some more recent ones. The newer the better, for obvious reasons.

Part # for spare: 9591628 (95-96), 9593686 (97-99) They used to be priced between $90-120.

Read the size of yours, then call a couple junkyards -- they will look up the number in their Hollander cross-reference, and most likely sell you the newest available one.

Jack,
How about this?

http://www.autopartsfair.com/buick-usedparts/riviera-1998-wheel.html?fit_notes=3efb2c4f607885203ae7e7c8f240c1d0&seq_num=1

buying rubber and the mounting will run you more than buying a junked spare.how did ya blow the spare?

Here's where I bought my spare: http://www.aaa.com

robotennis61 wrote:

buying rubber and the mounting will run you more than buying a junked spare.how did ya blow the spare?

It blew itself, sitting in the trunk of the car doing absolute nothing.

It's not a hole blown all the way through the tire, an outer layer of rubber ruptured.

That's why I'm disappointed to hear I can't get new rubber. Apparently these things are total crap. I sure don't want to pay nearly $100 for an old one that could go at any time (probably as soon as I need it!)

I'm debating taking mine out and replacing it with an emergency roadside kit, which would be more useful, or finding a very low-profile tire/wheel combo that will fit in the well. My donut spare slowly leaks, and even filled up I wouldn't feel comfortable using it (plus it looks dumb). Haven't had a flat in years, and have AAA just in case. I always felt the donut spare was just a segue to having no spare at all. All depends on your situation, though.

How about just buying another wheel and using the correct tire for a full size spare. It won't fit in the well, I know, but I never trust those donuts, except for short distances.

I wanted to see what the options are for a donut before looking at the full size option. How would you keep the full size from sliding around the trunk?

Smaller rim with low profile tire, might fit in the existing well. Question is, could you put the trunk floor over it? Might be an interesting option - cut a hole in the floor, letting the tire come through.

My spare was ruptured as well. Learned this after I put it on and got .1 miles down the road Can tire shops not replace the tire?

Really, guys, best bet is call a decent junkyard... you won't be their first customer for a compact spare, it's not that big a deal and they have business reasons to sell you a good one, the best on hand that's your size. They are a standard $10.00 ($9.26 plus tax) at the pick-n-pull nearest me, any size, for the newest (or whichever) one on hand. You might even be able to pick between aluminum or steel wheels (some lux cars got aluminum wheel spares).

Albertj

AA wrote:

Smaller rim with low profile tire, might fit in the existing well. Question is, could you put the trunk floor over it? Might be an interesting option - cut a hole in the floor, letting the tire come through.

Make a custom cover out of fiberglass?

Make a super custom cover out of cf?

manofmany wrote:

My spare was ruptured as well. Learned this after I put it on and got .1 miles down the road Can tire shops not replace the tire?

That's what I'm worried about! Any of our spares could be garbage.

albertj - See above, and I got to travel hours for a pick and pull.

AA wrote:

Smaller rim with low profile tire, might fit in the existing well. Question is, could you put the trunk floor over it? Might be an interesting option - cut a hole in the floor, letting the tire come through.

While I admit I haven't measured, shouldn't the spare be about the same overall diameter as the wheel/ tire? Yes it is wider for sure, but I think it might fit in the well. The cover would stick up for sure.

Pretty sure the donut is smaller in overall diameter than the wheels. I doubt you could get a full size rim & tire to fit in there, but I haven't tried.

A full size will fit.you need a longer bolt to hold her down,and spacers to allow the cover to fit.you will lose a ton of room though.I tried it!

Thx. Good to know!

Would it be worthwhile to look for a narrow aftermarket rim that would fit our bolt pattern and not stick up out of the tire well? Maybe a thin drag rim? Just a thought . . .

Jack the R wrote:

Would it be worthwhile to look for a narrow aftermarket rim that would fit our bolt pattern and not stick up out of the tire well? Maybe a thin drag rim? Just a thought . . .

Jack,
Did you look here? http://www.autopartsfair.com/buick-usedparts/riviera-1998-wheel.html?fit_notes=3efb2c4f607885203ae7e7c8f240c1d0&seq_num=1

Those prices are shipped. I just picked up a 7 spoke Chrome Riviera wheel from this website, and it was damn near perfect.

LARRY70GS wrote:

Jack the R wrote:

Would it be worthwhile to look for a narrow aftermarket rim that would fit our bolt pattern and not stick up out of the tire well? Maybe a thin drag rim? Just a thought . . .

Jack,
Did you look here? http://www.autopartsfair.com/buick-usedparts/riviera-1998-wheel.html?fit_notes=3efb2c4f607885203ae7e7c8f240c1d0&seq_num=1

Those prices are shipped. I just picked up a 7 spoke Chrome Riviera wheel from this website, and it was damn near perfect.

I wouldn't trust such old rubber.

Jack the R wrote:

LARRY70GS wrote:

Jack the R wrote:

Would it be worthwhile to look for a narrow aftermarket rim that would fit our bolt pattern and not stick up out of the tire well? Maybe a thin drag rim? Just a thought . . .

Jack,
Did you look here? http://www.autopartsfair.com/buick-usedparts/riviera-1998-wheel.html?fit_notes=3efb2c4f607885203ae7e7c8f240c1d0&seq_num=1

Those prices are shipped. I just picked up a 7 spoke Chrome Riviera wheel from this website, and it was damn near perfect.

I wouldn't trust such old rubber.

OK, then it will probably cost more to get a drag rim and tire. I never looked into that.