Spare Tire Carrier Problems

[Bear9350]

I've spent the last few hours trying to get my spare down. So far I have tried lowering it multiple times with then raising the tire with the jack, attempted to remove the entire winch assembly and rounded the bolt off. I tried to hold the tire against the frame and move the part of the assembly that the cable runs through and the is caught in the secondary lock with no luck.
Any ideas or directions/ explanations of what I am dealing?
Thanks
Brian

[oldbrownsierra]

Lower the cable into the latch. Get someone to hold the tire up to take the pressure off, but yet let the back down a bit to get access (there is a spot it works). There is rubber cover on bottom of the latch assembly, move it up or down, and then there are holes that allow you to stick a screw driver in and push the latch to unlock. Problem with doing it that way is the latch is seized which means hammer, which there is no room for. So just keep prodding with screwdriver. It takes 2 ppl to do this, and it is still not guaranteed. You also need to make sure that the pressure is completely off the latch mechanism. This is easier to do if your spare is flat.

This method is not for the faint of heart. Me and a buddy have gotten a few done this way, but it is not easy. You will be cursing, I guarantee it.

If it don't come down on its own, I have never seen the way the manual says ever work (with the back) btw.

[Bear9350]

I was able to remove the entire winch assembly with the tire still attached. Even at this point I could not get the latch to release without using a hammer and punch to push the latch back. Even after soaking it in penatrating oil I have to use something to push the latch the last bit in order to make it withdraw enough to unlatch.

[AXE]

Originally Posted by Bear9350

I was able to remove the entire winch assembly with the tire still attached. Even at this point I could not get the latch to release without using a hammer and punch to push the latch back. Even after soaking it in penatrating oil I have to use something to push the latch the last bit in order to make it withdraw enough to unlatch.

The latch is a two part unit, a hardened steel catch inside another steel case that is riveted together. Make sure the outer case is not squeezing the latch and not allowing it to release. Also, make sure the little spring isn't gummed up or plugged with sand. Mine was not releasing completely as the wear I had in the sides of the outer case had caused some thing and rough edges to bind with the latch.

Out!

[hbdiver]

In researching why the spare tire mechanism doesn't lower the tire I found that GM has replaced the poorly designed one with a new version. I do a five tire rotation every 5,000 miles and after 130,000 it quit working.

If you have the problem you need to depress the little lever on the guide to release the tire.

Don't know if it is better but I will find out.

[NWOhiochevyguy]

I used a sawzall on my last trucks assembly/secondary latch, about as much satisfaction as the throwing method mentioned above.

I helped a guy in the UP of MI this summer get his whole assembly off of a GM Van with an aftermarket hitch installed and a flat rear tire. In a sand parking lot none the less. NOW THAT WAS A B^&&^TCH. At least with a truck you can get under it.

[MadManAndrew]

When mine locked up I used a crow bar and a BFH to try to pry the holder thingy through the center of the wheel, but after a couple of minutes I noticed the wheel wasn't so tight anymore. Stuck the tool back in the winch and it started lowering down. I've used it multiple times since and no problems. Mine is "valve down" though so I guess it's not getting stuck on this secondary latch thing y'all are talking about.

[MadManAndrew]

Originally Posted by hbdiver

I do a five tire rotation every 5,000 miles

Wouldn't that leave you with one tire much less worn than the other three? Only every five rotations would you have tires that were worn equally. Seems like it would make for pretty bad ride quality?