Spare Tire Rubs Caliper! 04 LS

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Feb 17, 2010 | 01:33 AM

mannye

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From: Florida

Spare Tire Rubs Caliper! 04 LS

I had a flat the other day and was very surprised to find that my spare tire (completely stock LS..) was apparently too small to go on my rear axle. I have the "sport suspension" with the factory 18 inch rims. Has anyone else had this happen?

It's an 04 LS which is totally factory stock.

Feb 17, 2010 | 11:00 AM

Lust4Lexus

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From: NY

As far as I know, the spare should be the same exact wheel as the rest. IE- no donut. Are you the original owner? Maybe someone swapped it out without your knowledge?

Feb 17, 2010 | 05:45 PM

GRAND_LS 4

3UZ-FEEEE

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From: Northern VA

First of all, your spare should be a full 18inch rim unless it was swapped by the dealer. In addition, OEM 17's should be able to clear the calipers just fine.

Do you have a picture of this spare? it might be from another Lexus and got mixed up somehow either at the dealership or previous tire shop.

In a situation like the above, remove one of the rear wheels, place it in the front, and put your spare in the back, this will hold you off temporarily.

Feb 17, 2010 | 08:05 PM

LS430inDE.

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Joined: Apr 2009

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From: Delaware

Quote:

Originally Posted by mannye

I had a flat the other day and was very surprised to find that my spare tire (completely stock LS..) was apparently too small to go on my rear axle.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GRAND_LS 4

In a situation like the above, remove one of the rear wheels, place it in the front, and put your spare in the back, this will hold you off temporarily.

I'm reading that's his original problem. He said the spare was too small for the rear axle.

Feb 17, 2010 | 09:31 PM

AznRacer

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From: FL

show us some pictures of your spare because thats pretty weird. i have used my 17" spare twice without any problem.

Feb 18, 2010 | 01:30 AM

Ay-nako

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From: Vegasss

+1 on pics of spare

Feb 18, 2010 | 05:25 AM

Jabberwock

CL Community Team

Joined: Sep 2009

Posts: 3,915

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From: Alabama

If its a car that came thru the auction than anything could have happened. Cars that have gone to auction routinely are looted of anything that isn't welded down. Tires and wheels including brand new spares are switched, mats, accessories, cargo nets and covers, shift *****, remotes, literally anything that can be quickly switched or just flat out stolen happens to some auction cars - then the stuff shows up on ebay. Its sad but thats what happens.

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Mar 28, 2010 | 04:59 PM

mannye

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From: Florida

Hey guys thanks for the responses. It looks like I or the previous owner was the victim of theft. I had no idea I should have received a full size rim (I have the 18 inch OEMs on there) and it was three years before I even looked back there. Everything else including all the carfo nets, manuals, tool kit, etc. was there so I didn't worry. I bought it off a Mercedes dealer lot in Miami, FL and since this the the world capital of scumbag grifters and ripoff artists, I have no doubt that some ******* swapped it out at some point. Probably at the dealer when it was traded in.

Now I guess I have to go to ebay to buy one. I will post pics anyway so you can see what happened. No real harm was done, except I had to take the tire to a shop, get it fixed and then return, which took a weekend. Anyone that has two of the 04 silver 18inch rims hanging around should IM me or send me email at mannye@bellsouth.net

If you live in South Florida it would be a plus! An excuse for a beer at least.