(T) Spare wheel...

Hey - bought a Stilo less then three weeks ago, and am I ever glad to find this place! Don't get me wrong, it's not like I'm in a panic, but there seems to be quite few of them around here (Dublin), and no-one I know has any experience with them. Happened across the site, and have already picked up a thing or two - here's to many more exchanges...!!!

Well, actually, I have a little question to start with (not quite Technical, but close enough)... After taking possession of my 2002 1.2 Stilo Active, I decided to get out the spare wheel to a) give it a proper inspection, and b) see what tools from the tray might have disappeared underneath (there were a few gaps)! I SUPPOSE I should've figured out what was happening when it took so long to unscrew the cap fastening the tool tray into the spare wheel, but it wasn't until I heard the tiny "clink" that I'd realised what had happened. Sure enough, the nut into which the cap fastened was located in a recess underneath the car, and had fallen to the ground. I recovered it, and plan to ask a nice mechanic to put it back next time the car is on a hoist, but can't help reflecting on the strange nature of the design - is this normal, or am I the only one who would need elastic arms to reach both below and above the car to re-fasten the wheel/tool tray after removal?

Looking forward to the replies...

Hi and welcome to the forum. Both my Stilos had a simple hexagonal bolt screwed directly into the chassis without the need for a nut underneath. best check the bolt has not been replaced with a slimmer straight through one?

Never come across that prob before, and im always taking the spare wheel in and out of my car (dont ask why im just weird)

.....as he rolls it into his front lounge. "I've just bought somethine really nice in - anyone want to look at it?"

Something like that!

Hey - just had this looked at today - it appears I'm just special!!!

Left the car in for a service, asked them to have a look at this, and it appears that the nut in question is usually tac-welded to the underneath of the car - hence the bolt simply screwing straight into the chassis. They reckon someone knocked the bolt in a previous life, breaking off the nut, and when nubbins here went and took out the wheel, it fell off...!

Nothing to worry about, though - all fixed up (but a lesson and a caution for all...!!!)

Glad to hear you got it sorted