Thread: Sorting out the rear wheel carrier post tyre upgrade

Most get rid of the lock nuts and fit standard nuts. There is a difference between the nuts on the spare wheel carrier and the actual wheel nuts (there's an indent on the tin caps to indicate which is which, but from my experience the road wheel nuts can be used on the spare wheel carrier just fine - I wouldn't use a spare wheel carrier nut as a road wheel nut though...). Replacement nuts are pretty cheap on eBay and from the UK. I might even have a couple spare at home if you like (PM me to discuss further if you like).

Regarding the spare wheel carrier, you can flip the standard unit to accommodate larger tyres. I have 285/75R16 fitting fine on my standard carrier.

If yours is bust, might be easiest to source a replacement from a wrecker or look at Les Richmond Automotive for a replacement unit designed for tyres up to 36".

Find a good used one, will be a lot less hassle

As mentioned ditch the security nuts

I would redrill the mounts for the carrier, flipping is easier but moves the tyre over to one side

Originally Posted by twr7cx

There is a difference between the nuts on the spare wheel carrier and the actual wheel nuts (there's an indent on the tin caps to indicate which is which)

so which is which? I've noticed the indents on some of my wheel nuts, but they are randomly fitted over all 5 wheels