I tried to sort the spare wheel today but i'm not sure how they fit.

I have original steel wheel with 165/15 tyre however it sits higher than what i assume is the shelf stand. no matter how i position it, it seems wrong for the shelf to fit on top.

If i raise the rear end (by the tank wall) it sits higher tjere and the hold down bracket doesn't line up. no accident damage or other repairs done in that area.

There was no spare when i bought it so i have no reference.


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There should be nothing under your tire.. whats that white thing? Bolts flat directly to the trunk floor.

That said, when installing the board, I install in the rear first and then have to "snug" it by the latch and it then lays flat on top of the tire.

Plenty of room between your tire and the latch.

Heres a pic from our site: http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=289561

Just looking at the way the tire is on the rim I'd say the rim is wider than stock 914.
Also doesn't the rim sit face up to sit on the hold down correctly?

Mine only fits upside down.

I have the same wheel as in racers link 5.5j iirc. but may be 4.5.

The white thing under the rim is just a protective sheet whilst i was trial fitting the rim.

So if i'm reading/looking at this correctly the rim sits level or lower to the ledge at the front which the shelf sits on, then the shelf is supported at the rear by the wheel.

The car is locked/bllocked away until tomorrow so i'll revisit it then.

tire and wheel are in correctly, maybe the trunk floor is bent up, maybe post a picture of it

That doesn't appear to be an original steel rim, as the holes are rectangular rather than original ovals. So the rim is probably wider than the original 4.5 or 5.5" and sticks up more than original tire width. I have no problem with the floorboard lying flat on the tire, but it is higher than the adjoining flat area on the frame.

,you nailed it.

JFG -

Take the white thing out & just use a thin plastic sheet if you want protection, but don't leave it in because it can hold water in & not let it drain out the trunk well floor drains (make sure they're clear).

Both the Super Beetle steel wheels had that square cut-out, as do the 73-76 914 "Star Mag Style" steel wheels, but the offset is different on the Bug ones.

So check that it's the correct 914 steel wheel, no more than the 5.5" rim width, & hasn't been widened after the fact, & that it has 165/80R15 tires (or 155). If larger, then you'll probably need to get a smaller tyre (try Longstone Tyres).

Also check what George said above about the floor not being pushed up.

Also check that somebody didn't do a half-fast trunk floor repair, & just weld another floor on top of the old, because that's just a rust trap, & will raise the tire/tyre up 1/4" - 1/2"+!

The tire board (tyre board for you) does rest on the tire/tyre sidewalls.

The try the install trick that Racer said after checking all the above.

Looking forward to seeing your Lads at the Rugby World Cup next year!
Ruck on!

Cheers Mate!
Tom
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I was also alerted that having a spare mounted in the fronk is a necessary part of impact crumple design, that the tire would serve as some protection in front end collisions, so don't leave home without them!

The steels are off a 1974 and have the rectangle holes with lips around the edges. They are similar to the gt beetle wheel that were fitted later with an et25 offset. mine are et 40 and 5 1/2j 15" date stamped 4/74.

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\Dang, no body damage there, it's brand spankin' new!

Thanks Tom

The sheet was just for the exercise of fitting the tyre it will be removed for final fitting.

Just checked and you guys are in pool C whereas the 2019 champions (ny lot ) are in group D. So may see you further on in the competition

I think i may have faffed something simple and over thought the fitment.