Rubber Inserts in the Spare Tire Storage Area

[cheetah85]

What is the purpose for the 3 Rubber Inserts and holes in the spare tire area? Mine are leaking and rust is forming and I thought about sealing up the holes with bondo and spraying the whole cargo area with truck bedliner to stop the rust.

If the holes have a specific purpose, I will leave them alone and try to find another rubber insert.

[GenevaDirt]

They are there to drain out any liquid that may end up in the tire well. It is a nice place to sweep all the little debris that collect in there too. At least that is my take on it....someone may have a better answer.

[SimonTuffGuy]

Draining leaks was my solution. When I got Casper home, the spare tire was filled with rust colored water. Popped out those plugs and made cleanup a LOT easier.

I've noticed that the plugs cut down on a LOT of road/exhaust noise too when they are installed (at least, in my stripped Festiva anyways!)