Are there different length spare tire hold down bolts? Mine doesn't seem to secure the alloy wheel fully in place even with the plate flipped over.....

I've wondered the same thing as I have the same issue.

What size tires are on the spares?

yes, I thought I did read on the forum that there are different sizes bolts.
I did a search and yes....see in this post:
See http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?sho...=296579&hl=

Over the years 924,944 and 911 bolts have been used to secure the spare tire. This could be part of the problem. The bolts from these cars is longer.

Tire is probably wider than stock.

All the tires are stock size and width 165S15.

Can you add a couple of washers as spacers?

I cut mine down and machined the tip to a point. Fits fine now.

so these came from the factory this way? seems strange that so many wouldn't be correct length to secure the spare

one does look longer than the other.

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Years ago I cut out the "nut" piece from a JY car. I have been meaning to weld it in my car, but never have.

I guess I am saying I don't use a hold down, is that a big deal?

I don't know this for certain...

but always assumed that with a steel wheel spare the longer bolt would work just fine

and so many of these cars came with steel wheels (sometimes placed there by the dealer even) that I assumed the dealers changed the bolt to work with the wheel and narrow tire they were selling

today, everyone puts a 5th alloy wheel into the well that has a much different tire than came on these cars stock

I assumed that was the reason the stock bolts often don't work.

FYI: The early cars had a different version a wing nut style bolt.

Correct.........here be a pic of an OEM fastening bolt for a 1970

Cal,

Here is a pic of my original bolt and plate for my '73. Does yours bolt appear longer?

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Cal - I found one in my stash. If you want it, pm me your address. I'll ship it out in the am. No charge, it's an extra. Mark.

My car has a 5-lug conversion and 15x8 Fuchs all round. But for 30 years, I've had the same crappy spare my PO left me, so I recently bought a 15x7 cookie cutter and a 215/60-15 for a real spare. However, the old hold-down bolt wasn't long enough, so I extended it by going to ACE and buying a coupler and a bolt with the same thread pitch. Cut down the bolt to the right length, put on the coupler, and voila. Cost me under $2.

That early bolt is the shorter version. What is the length of the bolt you have? Might be a 924 or 944 bolt.
Bruce

Thanks for the photo Steve. Well, after looking at mine again it appears that the metal washer on the bolt has just moved and shifted up the shaft. I'm surprised that it wasn't welded or anchored better to the bolt. I'll see if I can find a new one.