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Chevy Truck Spare Tire Wench

Chief ShawayChief Shaway Member, Moderator Posts: 6,289 ******
edited March 2015 in General Discussion
Went to put new shocks on my 2005 Z-71.
Figured I'd drop the spare to not only aid in the install but to check the spare for inflation.
The damn thing went down about 6" then just stopped.
No amount of turning the handle would budge it.
The cable would go up and down but the tire, no budge.
A quick google search and you-tube had the answer.
There is a safety latch in case the cable breaks that, according to the number of videos on the subject, happens to not allow the tire to come down for numerous people.
Luckily, I was at home and not on the road somewhere.
It is not easy to unlatch.
I take the spare down every year to check inflation but guess I'll start spraying the latch now too.

Comments

  • 47studebaker47studebaker Member Posts: 2,251 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    don't forget to spray the cable, most times the cable binds up and won't release the spare.
  • grumpygygrumpygy Member Posts: 48,464 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    There is a trick to get it down. you have to jack up the spare tire with the Jack and the Brackets that hold it down when its in storage.

    Your owners manual should show that.
  • Chief ShawayChief Shaway Member, Moderator Posts: 6,289 ******
    edited November -1
    My biggest problem was not noticing that the tire had quit coming down.
    That caused me to get the cable balled up inside its housing.
    Once I got the tire off and then the wench, I was able to get the cable right and also learned how the latch is supposed to work.
    Once off, the latch appeared to be free.
    There is a little disk that triggers the latch. It needs weight to accomplish this.
    Good to know. Wish I would of known it yesterday tho. [:D]
  • Chief ShawayChief Shaway Member, Moderator Posts: 6,289 ******
    edited November -1
    Never had a manual with this truck but, I will look that up too.
    Thanks.
  • MobuckMobuck Member Posts: 14,163 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I'd guess that's better than NO safety catch. I was on my way to work one morning and in the rearview mirror,noticed a tire laying in the road behind me. I thought "That's odd since I didn't see it when I drove past". I stopped and backed up to find it looked just like the one under the back of my pickup. Ah-hah!! That IS the one that USED to be under the back of my pickup.
    Yupper, the cable rusted through and dropped the spare. Very fortunate it wasn't on a busy highway at 60MPH.
  • badchrisbadchris Member Posts: 1,676 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by grumpygy
    There is a trick to get it down. you have to jack up the spare tire with the Jack and the Brackets that hold it down when its in storage.

    Your owners manual should show that.

    Mine has been stuck for a year. Tried manual resets on multiple occasions and can't get the safety latch to release. Very frustrating. When I finally do get it down, it's going in the bed. [}:)]
    Enemies of armed self-defense focus on the gun. They ignore the person protected with that gun.
  • wpagewpage Member Posts: 10,201 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    There was a recall on those.
  • AlpineAlpine Member Posts: 15,092 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Looks like an easy fix with a die grinder.

    Then no more hook!

    Fortunately my 2003 doesn't have this defect.
    ?The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.?
    Margaret Thatcher

    "There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics."
    Mark Twain
  • acdoddacdodd Member Posts: 1,314 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I've had my truck for 10 years and I never had the tool to lower the spare.
    I drive 4 miles each way to work and I drive past a Les Schwab so if I have a flat they can change it for me.[:D]
  • Dads3040Dads3040 Member Posts: 13,552 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I do not understand why anyone would get the tire off before the wench.

    Wenches are not known to be patient if their needs are not met.

    And really, even though they are wenches, they still have those needs.
  • OakieOakie Member Posts: 40,565 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Guess I should go do this. I remember having a problem years ago in Philly and ended up breaking the cable to get to the spare on our old explorer.[}:)]
  • 17tobyracing17tobyracing Member Posts: 3,429 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Anther long-term design flaw that GM has never addressed...
  • grumpygygrumpygy Member Posts: 48,464 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by 17tobyracing
    Anther long-term design flaw that GM has never addressed...


    Not a Flaw it was designed to do just what it does. You just need to follow the directions to get the spare off.
  • badchrisbadchris Member Posts: 1,676 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by grumpygy
    quote:Originally posted by 17tobyracing
    Anther long-term design flaw that GM has never addressed...


    Not a Flaw it was designed to do just what it does. You just need to follow the directions to get the spare off.

    I've followed the directions, even had others try it to make sure I just wasn't too ignorant to figure it out, and safety latch still doesn't release. I'd call it a failure.
    Enemies of armed self-defense focus on the gun. They ignore the person protected with that gun.
  • pwilliepwillie Member Posts: 20,253 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Switch to "Ford"....never have that problem again...[:o)]
  • Chief ShawayChief Shaway Member, Moderator Posts: 6,289 ******
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by badchris
    quote:Originally posted by grumpygy
    quote:Originally posted by 17tobyracing
    Anther long-term design flaw that GM has never addressed...


    Not a Flaw it was designed to do just what it does. You just need to follow the directions to get the spare off.

    I've followed the directions, even had others try it to make sure I just wasn't too ignorant to figure it out, and safety latch still doesn't release. I'd call it a failure.



    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhZ2LP7nfLU

    Here is the way I did mine. I went thru the license plate hole to access it.
    I could tell with the Channel Locks that there was basically just grime and rock dust.
    After I got it down and lube it, all is well.
    Just now got it put back up.
  • Mr. PerfectMr. Perfect Member, Moderator Posts: 66,437 ******
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by pwillie
    Switch to "Ford"....never have that problem again...[:o)]
    Best advice on the thread.
    Some will die in hot pursuit
    And fiery auto crashes
    Some will die in hot pursuit
    While sifting through my ashes
    Some will fall in love with life
    And drink it from a fountain
    That is pouring like an avalanche
    Coming down the mountain
  • wiz1997wiz1997 Member Posts: 1,051 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I had a 1980 Ford F150 supercab, extended bed.

    It had a tire rack in the bed mounted on the side. Before I sold that truck I took that rack out. Then put it in the new at the time 1984 F250. Had to have it in the bed due to a Reese hitch under the truck. Then moved it a third time to the current 1996 F150.

    Haven't had to wrestle a tire out from under a truck in a long time.
  • badchrisbadchris Member Posts: 1,676 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thanks for the youtube link, Chief! I'll give that a try next time I get under the truck.

    Mr Perfect & pwillie, you guys sounds like my brother [:p].

    Edit: Spare tire is off and in the bed of my truck! [8D]
    Enemies of armed self-defense focus on the gun. They ignore the person protected with that gun.
  • Chief ShawayChief Shaway Member, Moderator Posts: 6,289 ******
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by badchris
    Thanks for the youtube link, Chief! I'll give that a try next time I get under the truck.

    Mr Perfect & pwillie, you guys sounds like my brother [:p].

    Edit: Spare tire is off and in the bed of my truck! [8D]



    Glad it worked for you.
    I put mine back under there.
    Tried it out a few times with no problems. I'll just have to take it down every 4 months to check it.
  • badchrisbadchris Member Posts: 1,676 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I'll probably put mine back under too, but not until I get a better clean & lube done on the latch. Good to know how to release it while roadside in case it happens again.
    Enemies of armed self-defense focus on the gun. They ignore the person protected with that gun.
  • fideaufideau Member Posts: 11,895 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The Toyota thread reminded me, had a crank down spare, just stick the jack handle in a keyhole and crank it down. Loved that.[:D]
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