Spare Tire Cover

[Douglas]

I just saw an OEM spare tire cover on a 1970 280 SL that didn't have the channel in the flap for the lugnut wrench. Seemed odd to me. Has anyone else ever seen one like that?

Douglas Kim
New York
USA

[113gray]

Mine has no such channel. Lugnut wrench on mine is secured to the trunk floor in metal clips beneath the horizontally mounted tire.     -JP-

[jeffc280sl]

Mine is the same as JPs

Jeff C.
1970 280SL 4-speed

[Ed Cave]

Mine seems to have both. The lug wrench has been in the single black metal clip that is at the floor of the trunk, about midway left to right, below the latch since I got the car.

After reading this thread I went to the garage for a look. The spare tire cover has a long, narrow pocket sewn in at the "hinge" of the fabric that the lug wrench fit nicely in to, althought the head of the wrench sticks out of the flap when snapped.

I then took it out and clipped it back in its place.



Ed Cave
Atlanta, GA


1971 280SL
1973 911S
2004 A4 3.0
2006 GS430

[Douglas]

Thank you for checking. That's interesting how some spare tire covers have it and other don't.

(By the way, I believe that metal clip where the trunk floor meets the inner tail panel is for the luggage strap. You'll see its mate for the other half of the strap directly behind it towards the back of the trunk.)

Douglas Kim
New York
USA

[Ed Cave]

So Douglas, should I then assume that my lug wrench should be housed in the spare tire cover, slid into its sleeve with the head of the wrench sticking out of the cover when snapped shut?

I am curious now, and would prefer it appear properly when the car is shown.

Ed Cave
Atlanta, GA


1971 280SL
1973 911S
2004 A4 3.0
2006 GS430

[George Davis]

Ed and all,

my spare tire cover has a hole in the lug wrench pocket, maybe 3 inches from one end.  I think the lug wrench goes in here, that way it doesn't stick out.  The 3 or so inches left unused "might be" for the wheel centering tool(?).

George Davis
'69 280 SL Euro manual

[Douglas]

The setup George describes is exactly right, of course. (He always is.)

If you don't already have a wheel centering pin, you should find one from ebay or the usual sources. It's a nice detail to have among your Hazet tools. Plus, it's kind of nice to see how it fits so perfectly in that little pouch in the spare tire cover flap.

Douglas Kim
New York
USA

[hands_aus]

I thought the Lug wrench fitted into the slot of the tool kit and the wheel centering pin fitted into the same tool kit.

Bob Smith (Brisbane,Australia)
RHD,1967 early 250 SL, auto

[Douglas]

Bob,

I think we've just established it could be either way, since some of the spare tire covers don't have the necessary pockets.

Here's a photo of that wheel centering pin, in case anyone is wondering:

Download Attachment: 41_1.JPG.jpg
27.11 KB

Douglas Kim
New York
USA

[Vince Canepa]

The lug wrench doesn't stick out of the pocket if it is inserted with the socket end "inside" - i.e. it hangs into the well inside the spare tire cover when it is snapped closed.  If it is inserted with the socket end "out" it may touch the deck lid with a corresponding dent - not good.

Vince Canepa
1967 250SL
113.043-10-001543
568H Signal Red
116 Caviar MB-Tex

[George Davis]

Douglas, I appreciate what you wrote, but I'm not always right.  Post less = fewer opportunities to be wrong!

George Davis
'69 280 SL Euro manual

[hands_aus]

quote:Originally posted by Douglas

Bob,

I think we've just established it could be either way, since some of the spare tire covers don't have the necessary pockets.

Here's a photo of that wheel centering pin, in case anyone is wondering:

Download Attachment: 41_1.JPG.jpg
27.11 KB

Douglas Kim
New York
USA

Hey Douglas,
I bought a centering pin for $5.00 from a wreckers' yard. It originally came from a sedan. I also bought the rubber mounting bracket that fits to the internal boot rear wall. It is a great place for the pin and the bracket keeps it always in the same spot.
There is a small cutout that the bracket fits into.

Bob Smith (Brisbane,Australia)
RHD,1967 early 250 SL, auto

[113gray]

Eating humble pie here w/ crow for dessert! I checked my sp. tire cover again & it DOES indeed have the pocket. I have seen it previously dozens of times & thought it simply a reinforcement. My bad!       -JP- '66 230SL Euro