Steel Spare Tire Rim Rust thoughts

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tecco

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For years ( since 2013) I have been dropping the spare every 6 months, airing it up, touching up the rust on the rim. Now after 8 years, it has just gotten too bad. Bought a replacement rim and new tire. Going forward, to try and prevent the same in the future, I was thinking of coating the upper rim ( portion against the body) with "Fluid Film" and then covering with a tire cover.

Does anyone have experience with either or both of these ideas? Thought that the cover might trap moisture in but the rim is a bowl anyway and fills up with water and salt ( I live in the snow belt)

Do you put the cover on the top? or around the bottom?

No perfect answer. Just looking to see if anyone has any experience/ suggestions out there.

Thanks
 
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99WhiteC5Coupe

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For years ( since 2013) I have been dropping the spare every 6 months, airing it up, touching up the rust on the rim. Now after 8 years it has just gotten too bad. Bouht a replacement rim and new tire. Gong forward, to try and prevent the same in the future, I was thinking of coating the upper rim ( portion against the body with "Fluid Film" and then covering with a tire cover.

Does anyone have experience with either or both these ideas? Thoughts that the cover might trap moisture in but the rim is a bowl anyway and fills up with water and salt ( I live in the snow belt)

Do you put the cover on the top? or around the bottom

No real perfect answer just looking to see if anyone has any experience/ suggestions out there.

Thanks


I’ve had the same problem and issue with my 2015.

I also do not like that the full-size spare was designed to be stored underneath, with the valve stem pointed up (requiring the spare to be lowered to check and/or add air).

No ideas or suggestions on how to improve the design.
 

Trainmaster

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My 2000 lost its spare on Interstate 78. Might still be there. The foot on the cable rotted out. Can't imagine there's a sure way to preserve this stuff; just inspect it every now and then...
 

Hamfisted

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I agree with Tom. Just go to a salvage yard and get an aluminum wheel and tire combo. Spray the cable end with some CRC HD Corrosion Inhibitor to protect it.
 

Trainmaster

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Take a good look at that cable, the end that lifts the tire and the mechanism. That rots out too and that's what left my spare somewhere in Pennsylvania.
 

Samuel Jewell

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I have a separate cable to secure my spare once in place. Replaced winch cable with SS, whole winch assembly was heavily coated with dry lube protective coating including the piece that holds the tire. I also went with an aluminum rim coated well with corrosion preventative film. When I have to fix something on my '98 I try to make it the last time!
 

lbv150

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I flipped the tires over on all my vehicles that have them with the inflation valve down and to the rear for easy pressure checking. As for rusting...WD40 and Fluid Film.
 

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