yes cory

Take these steps:

1. Position the spare tire just slightly to the right side of the vehicle
(left when looking back) when you put the spare tire in so that it is less
likely to hit.

2. Insert a large washer (e.g., 1/2 inch) in between the place where the
spare tire carrier bolts to the van body and the van body itself. This will
allow the spare tire to hang down just a bit further than it would otherwise.

3. Purchase a new bolt for the spare tire which is somewhat longer than the
factory bolt to make putting the spare tire up easier. (possibly I can send
you one of these)

4. Use a piece of file folder or other thick papaer to check that the spare
tire no longer contacts the steering arm.

5. Grunt a lot when you push the spare tire up in there.

The VC is not that easy to break. We just talk about it a lot because it is
an exotic expensive piece of equipment. By the way, my VC is going bad
(comes on too early after it warms up).

With these steps, your spare tire should fit fine.

At 11:04 AM 5/29/98 -0400, you wrote:
>Hi all,
>
>After having the fear of god instilled in me I went to great lengths to get a
>5th alloy and a BFG A/T 27 x 8.50 14 so that my spare would match up with
my 4
>rolling tires so that I could actually use the spare without risking
damage to
>the Viscous Coupling. (BTW I am sick of my viscous coupling.  Don't do
this or
>you'll hurt the viscous coupling, don't do that or you'll hurt the viscous
>coupling.  It's shocking how much coddling these viscous couplings need.
I've
>never heard about this with other AWD vehicles)
>
>Anyway,  it seems that the tire rubs against part of my steering linkage.
Has
>anyone else had this problem?  There have to be some people here who have
>BFG's on alloy wheels.  Is there a remedy to this propblem.  TIA
>
>Cory
>'86 Syncro Westfalia
>

_____________________________________________________
Derek Drew                           New York, NY & Washington DC
ConsumerSearch
drew@interport.net
212-580-6486 (W)
212-580-4459; 202-966-0938 (H)