Does the spare tire in an FB stick up out of the spare tire well and cause a 2” wheel shaped bulge in the carpet? Or am I doing something wrong. I was not around when The Kid removed the spare tire couple of years back… and just getting around to cleaning it up and putting it back in. I remember him taking about a layer of insulation he removed, but wonder if I am missing something that would cause the carpet to lay flat.

Ignore rust. Ongoing project.

 

It does stick up a bit, not 2" but noticeable.

 

Anyone remember what layers were under the carpet in the hatch? Or better still have photos?

 

Check Bring A Trailer for photos of good condition cars.
Looks like there's supposed to be insulation with a cutout to take up the gap.
It probably crumbles away in most cars, there wasn't any when I bought mine in 2005.

 

Being a trailer. That’s a REALLY good idea. Never dawned on me how much you could use that site for OEM info. Thanks!

 

As you're aware, it's not a full size spare, but and emergency donut. I replaced mine through Discount Tire, who had to special order it for me, mount and balance it, back before I made the road trip for SevenStock20. It's still back there, adding weight and doing it's thing. The original 1984 version still held air just fine, but better safe than sorry.

The heavy cushion was as much for sound deadening as insulation, as that section of the car is pretty thin and transmits noise up into the cabin,

 

There is a noticeable bulge when the spare is in the tire well that is mostly attributed to the placement of the folding jack handle under the tire in the well but not as j_tso mention 2" high. You might want to verify that rim width and tire size are correct. .

 

Your spare tire does look correct. It also appears that the padded insulation on the underside of the rubber mat is gone on your car. This insulation helps mask the spare under the carpet as it somewhat levels the hatch area out and somewhat hides the spare tire. I would recommend installing some new jute padding on the underside of the rubber mat. It will help. I also place my jack handle to the right of the spare on the floor and the lug nut tool next to the spare or on top of it. For reference, and I'll follow up to be sure, the tire removal tool was originally stored with the jack. I'll have to look in my owners manual set to be sure.

 

Funny this comes up as it's something I've always wondered as well. My SA has the full sized spare but it too sticks up above the carpet a noticeable amount. Tire size is a 185/70R13 which I suppose is on the larger side for stock.


Cat for scale

 

Starting to think that since the bulge is OEM… I can turn the wheel upside down and install a spare tire subwoofer.

 

I have to agree, that the jute padding is missing in a couple of example pictures. Although you could faintly see the outline of the spare when new the cargo area was basically flat. Over time as the insulation settles and thins out the tire shows through more but not a couple inches.

 

And now I know that the slots are for in the carpet!