the spare tire valve stem will just reach out through one of the holes in
the bottom of the clam shell...
especially a long one ..
then you can check pressure right there.
Normally I just do the thumb pressure tire pressure check on the spare...you
can at least tell it's not flat that way easily.  But it's always good to
take things apart ...
put a bit of anti-seize on that clam shell holder bolt threads, etc.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Rob" <becida@COMCAST.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Saturday, March 05, 2011 6:47 PM
Subject: Re: How to get spare tire out??? Urgent!

> The 19 has always fit mine fine... Try a 3/4? Actually if you have
> not been in there in 10 years it's probably flat anyway, get a can of
> fix-a-flat or a 'different' spare. Oh, this was written at 1030 this
> morning... This has been solved one way or another...
>
> I try and pull mine every year or so just to check the air psi and
> dump out the rocks..
>
> Rob
> becida@comcast.net
>
>
> At  3/5/2011 10:34 AM,David M wrote:
>>Nut looks to be like 19mm but my 19mm socket is a bit loose. Nut is
>>very tight has not been removed in over 10 years but I desperately
>>need to get my spare tire out and mounted. I tried WD40 but its real
>>diffuicult to apply it and so far it refuses to yield and the socket
>>continually slips. Anyone got any ideas? Personally, I think the
>>whole concept of needing a special tool to access the spare tire is
>>a dumb design.