Nice job Richard. I've been using a 17" Boxster spare wheel in my 997 for 7 years. Only located with a short bungy. This is not a problem because the wheel can't move forward without being resisted by the bonnet cross bracing.
Spare Wheel Installation
- Thread starter Geoff_Fields
- Start date
Very neat Geoff. I wasn't sure the 17" inflated spare would fit, but clearly it does! It would also go in the rear of a Cayman, but you would have to remove the rear 'blind' on the tailgate.
I've never been to happy about venturing on long trips, armed with only a can of foam in the event of a puncture, so I thought I would do something about it.
I managed to get a 996 C4 collapsible spare wheel (16" ET10 offset) from Porsch-Apart for £115 including a jack, delivery etc, which I thought was pretty reasonable, especially as they were in mint, unused condition. I already had a suitable socket and bar, and bought a cheap wheel cover on eBay for £9. I got a wheel locating tool and spare wheel poly bag from Porsche (under £10 for the pair). I also had some very handy brackets which made good lashing points in the front boot, so yesterday I got it all together, and here is the result:
The brackets are screwed to the box section behind with self tapping screws. If anyone is contemplating the same, I have a couple more of the brackets. Most of the time it will live in the front boot, but when we go away, it can be strapped to the engine cover, using the loops already in place. I checked it out, and it doesn't reduce visibility, by the way.
Reading on Planet 9, it seems that if I do get a puncture, a front wheel will also fit on the engine cover, but it isn't clear if a rear wheel will. If not, it will have to go in the rear section, and I'll use bungee cords to hold the rear lid down. Far from ideal, but in an emergency there doesn't seem much alternative.
Hope this is of use to someone.
I managed to get a 996 C4 collapsible spare wheel (16" ET10 offset) from Porsch-Apart for £115 including a jack, delivery etc, which I thought was pretty reasonable, especially as they were in mint, unused condition. I already had a suitable socket and bar, and bought a cheap wheel cover on eBay for £9. I got a wheel locating tool and spare wheel poly bag from Porsche (under £10 for the pair). I also had some very handy brackets which made good lashing points in the front boot, so yesterday I got it all together, and here is the result:
The brackets are screwed to the box section behind with self tapping screws. If anyone is contemplating the same, I have a couple more of the brackets. Most of the time it will live in the front boot, but when we go away, it can be strapped to the engine cover, using the loops already in place. I checked it out, and it doesn't reduce visibility, by the way.
Reading on Planet 9, it seems that if I do get a puncture, a front wheel will also fit on the engine cover, but it isn't clear if a rear wheel will. If not, it will have to go in the rear section, and I'll use bungee cords to hold the rear lid down. Far from ideal, but in an emergency there doesn't seem much alternative.
Hope this is of use to someone.
John H
New member
I had a puncture last year. Picked up a big bit of metal debris in the rear tyre, which then flew off, tyre deflated almost instantly. I was horrified at the thought of not having a conventional spare. But ... I used the Porsche supplied sealant and pump, followed the instructions (unlike me [
]) and drove half a mile, then stopped and re-inflated. Not for a moment did I assume it would work, especially as the debris had ripped quite a big hole, but to my astonishment it worked perfectly. Got me home safely, and they tyre was still holding pressure the next morning. I am now a convert to the idea of using the sealant. Changing tyres at the roadside is difficult and potentially dangerous. The sealant is quicker, simpler and safer, and there is no issue about where to stash a huge, wet and dirty wheel and tyre.
]) and drove half a mile, then stopped and re-inflated. Not for a moment did I assume it would work, especially as the debris had ripped quite a big hole, but to my astonishment it worked perfectly. Got me home safely, and they tyre was still holding pressure the next morning. I am now a convert to the idea of using the sealant. Changing tyres at the roadside is difficult and potentially dangerous. The sealant is quicker, simpler and safer, and there is no issue about where to stash a huge, wet and dirty wheel and tyre.
I appreciate what you say, but the foam won't fill a gash, and if you have TPMS it will write off the sensor. Tyres which have been foamed can't be repaired (but that sparks another debate!).
Good job Richard. Glad you were able to source the parts at very reasonable cost after your original post. Like you, I admit to a certain nervousness when venturing out on longer journeys armed with just a bottle of gloop. Just a thought but does the fitting of the spacesaver throw up any PSM/ABS faults or does the 996 C4 collapsible spare have a diameter compatable with the other wheels? The same question applies to you too Geoff. Jeff
I don't think it would cause a PSM/ABS fault light, and if it did it would reset itself when the correct wheel was refitted. The collapsible wheel is the same as the ones supplied in the genuine 9x7 spare wheel kits, so I doubt if there would be any problems. If you haven't seen a collapsible tyre inflate, there is a video here, albeit an older Porsche one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atEHN9tX77g
I understand that it is advisable to disable PSM when the spare is fitted. Because of the the different rolling circumference the psm may be confused.
The inflator will do it fine - if you leave it long enough! To deflate, you just let the air out. Not very good videos, but you'll get the idea: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcCk7Syc0aM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2znukoboOro
Like most I sometimes think a spare would be at least an insurance should a puncture occur but that raises the question since some insurers now want to be told if we change to winter tyres is use of a space saver ok since the 9*7's don't come with one? On the subject of winter tyres as long as they're Porsche approved there really should not be a problem.
But it is offered as a cost option. (I447). On balance, I think I would prefer to have one, than not. Just my 2p's worth.
I did read the reason for no spare wheel on 987 and 997 somewhere but cannot recall where. So from memory I think it is because 19 inch rear wheels would not fit in the front compartment. Diameter itself not being the issue but rather the width of the tyre which would foul the sloping bonnet. Obviously not everyone opts for 19 inch but the solution provided does work for all wheel sizes.
you can also get an additive that goes into the tyre when new that will prevent you having a punture, it will last the life of the tyre it will also reduce the risk of a blowout, i few friends of mine use this on their sportsbikes,you can also put it in car tyres , a few brands are below , tyre slime, goop and ultraseal(ultraseal is rated up to 156 mph,and claims to extend tyre life as it cools the tyre,from inside) i would not fit this to your vechicle if it has tpms on it(a friend of mine had a nail in his sportsbike and had ultraseal in it he just removed the nail and the tyre stayed inflated ,he did not get the puncture repaired at all.
berty987
New member
Couple of points to clear up on spare wheels. The brake calipers and discs on a cayman S and boxster S are too big to accommodate a 16" spare wheel , ideally you need the 17" option. The rolling radius of the 996 / 986 space saver isn't the correct size for a 987/997 , its actually slightly undersize in terms of rolling radius of the front wheel and more so on the rear. The correctly specified space saver wheel for the 987 is actually between the rolling radius of the front and rear wheels which are different (the rear wheel being bigger) , its a 185 60 17 opposed to a 105 90 17 as found on the 986/996. The 986 space saver is an intermediate size between the front and rear wheels of the 986/996 which are smaller rolling radiuses than the 987/997 , hence porsche specified a different space saver for the later 987/997 models. The 986/996 space saver will work on a 987/997 but you need to turn off PSM , otherwise it will alarm and give a fault because the original wheel on the other side of the car to the space saver is turning at a different speed due to the different rolling radius. This isnt a big issue unless you have a limited slip diff as this would cause excessive wear. I have the pre inflated 105 90 17 space saver in my car and was I believe one of the first to try this idea. Having used it on a couple of occasions I can confirm it works well. The tyre inflator that you get with the boxster/ cayman as standard , won't inflate a skinny space saver because it wont inflate to the higher pressure it requires. You also need a wheel brace and jack if you buy a space saver , as there is no jack included with the 987/997. Regarding puncture repairs , very few tyre fitters in the UK will touch a glued tyre or will charge a heavy premium to clean and repair. On the continent NO ONE will repair a porsche tyre as by law they are liable for any injury as a result. I know this because I got a slow puncture in Germany and had to drive back all the way home , topping up the air and driving at a reserved speed. Had I fitted the space saver , my limited speed would have resulted in missing my ferry. Back in the UK the tyre was professionally repaired at my local tyre depot. The issue in europe , especially Germany , is so many cars drive regularly at close to max speed. If you are thinking of buying a 997/987 space saver , have deep pockets, the complete kit with tyre cover and foam support is over 600 pounds , it takes up nearly all the boot space and voids any chance of carrying luggage (its also nearly twice the weight !). You are also still faced with the issue of what to do with the removed road wheel with either option. My solution was to use a rubber mat on the rear boot cover and bungee chords / webbing. This works well enough for the limited speed on a space saver and allows both the hood to operate and luggage to stay in the car.
Interesting what you say about the 16" wheel. My 996 Turbo used the 16" wheel with 165-70 collapsible tyre. The part number of the spacesaver wheel used in the 987C kit (I447) is 996.362.020.04, which is the same wheel used on the 996C4S and Turbo. The Turbo has 330mm disks, and the Cayman S 318mm. The calipers on the Cayman S are the smaller ones used on the 996C2 and C4.
The 16" wheel can be fitted to 997S with 330mm discs. BUT you will need a 7mm spacer and a set of longer (red sleeve) bolts for the wheel to clear the front caliper. I originally had a 16" spare until upgraded to 6 pot calipers and 350mm Turbo discs. The spacer is also required for that option. The 17" wheel will not fit cars with the 380mm ceramic discs.
i understand what you say, but I think I'd prefer to strap it on the engine cover than where Porsche suggest:
I'm pretty sure a rear would fit on there too.
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