Spare tire cable

[adrenalinefjz80]

Can someone tell me the mechanism to raise/lower the spare tire? Mine is hanging down and sways around turns.

 

[rolnblok]

If you have the factory "tool bag", you will need to assemble the 3-4 "rods with square ends). The hooked end inserts through a hole in the upper part of the bumper (right below the bottom of the rear hatch door) and engages a slotted portion of the tire lift mechanism. The handle attaches on the end opposite the hook. Turn to raise or lower the spare. There should be directions in the owners manual. Hope that helps.

 

[VanGo]

Most likely it is rusted in the lowered position? I would remove and PM if the above described method does not work or is difficult. I used WD40 to remedy with a wire brush to remove any surface rust, air dried, primed/painted, re-install and use copious amounts of grease. HTH

 

[weaseltraps]

Also, face of the wheel (i.e. outward facing) should be up. My spare was swinging around a fair bit after a recent tire installation so I lowered it and found the installer had the wheel face down. This results in a few more inches of cable and more play.

 

[adrenalinefjz80]

I tried using the tools yesterday, but we couldn't figure out what to do inside the hole, if that sounds right hahaa. Does a square end fit against something to turn it? I looked in the hole, but didn't see much.

 

[VanGo]

A-

When the tool is assembled there is a hook on the end, access the spare tire mount through the slot in the rear sheet metal. Connect the hook to the slot in the lowering mount and crank CCW to lower and CW to raise. HTH

 

[Brimley]

When I first tried to figure out the mechanism it helped greatly to shine a light in the hole in the bumber and look in to see the "slot" the hook fits in and the actual mechanism itself. Once you take a peek it will make a whole lot more sense.

 

[VanGo]

Brimley-

Good point and should help him figure this out.

 

[adrenalinefjz80]

Thanks guys. I didn't have a flashlight the first time. I'll try tomorrow after work, which is the first day daily driving my new landcruiser

 

[adrenalinefjz80]

Alright, I see the thing I'm aiming to turn, but can somebody post a picture of the correct tool end that slides in? I have all the attachments, but can't figure it out.

 

[weaseltraps]

hook end goes into the hole. I tend to have to aim towards the right side of the slot. It should slot in like a key.

The assembled tool will look something like this:


.....? < Hook End
.....!......
----!----
.....!
.....!

You use the cross section to turn the hook in the cable slot to raise/lower the spare.

(horrible, but I tried )

 

[bobbyp]

Was scratching my head about this one, I couldn't see the keyhole from the slot in the bumper, but with the recommendation to "keep right" it worked out OK. I don't think the PO ever lowered the tire, lots of creaky sounds. Any comments on the rust are welcome.

Here are some pics to help the next guy, note that the tool mechanism is at a pretty good angle to the bumper.

 

[yohavos]

Yeah, I don't miss NY for that reason alone!


If you're up to it, I'd try taking a wire brush and some grease to it, just to see if you could get it moving a bit smoother.

Lots of members (especially those that go to above a 33" tire or get rear tire carriers) get rid of these, I'm sure you could snag up a used one from a non-rust belt state.