I just switched out my snow tires for 35" "summer" tires. I also fitted a 35" spare on the swing-out carrier. These weigh a bit more than my 285/75R16 snow tires.
This weekend I went to open the tire carrier and the bottom tube broke about 6" from the hinge. I knew it had been previously repaired but has now rusted through. The repair area was welded but not coated with anything - allowing rust to go right through.
I took off the heavy spare and will be grinding and welding and rust proofing. Hopefully the tubing is not bent so I can get a good weld bead in there. Otherwise I'll have to sleeve it for extra support.
On a related note, what's the best way of lubing the carrier bushings? I notice each one has a small hole on the inside (when opened). On my Nissan, I used a syringe to squirt oil in those holes for internal lubrication. Same thing on the LC?
This weekend I went to open the tire carrier and the bottom tube broke about 6" from the hinge. I knew it had been previously repaired but has now rusted through. The repair area was welded but not coated with anything - allowing rust to go right through.
I took off the heavy spare and will be grinding and welding and rust proofing. Hopefully the tubing is not bent so I can get a good weld bead in there. Otherwise I'll have to sleeve it for extra support.
On a related note, what's the best way of lubing the carrier bushings? I notice each one has a small hole on the inside (when opened). On my Nissan, I used a syringe to squirt oil in those holes for internal lubrication. Same thing on the LC?
