Spare tire winch
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Trailering
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Spare tire winch
Just bought my 02 250 and the spare tire winch cable is fully extended and won't retract. I have the key and rods. Key seems to engage then slips off when I try to turn it. Can I remove and clean it or am I stuck buying a new one.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 823
Likes: 5
From: Dallas, Oregon
Look for my post named "Drop That Spare!". I have photos of all the parts and how to do it in my gallery (EDIT: Not gallery, it is in my Albums).
First twist off the guide tube for the winch handle and try prying off the lock adapter. You then use the flat end of the jack crank in the hole you just exposed. It should not slip out.
Good luck!
First twist off the guide tube for the winch handle and try prying off the lock adapter. You then use the flat end of the jack crank in the hole you just exposed. It should not slip out.
Good luck!
Last edited by JockD; Feb 11, 2011 at 07:56 PM. Reason: Correct location of photo album.
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 29,380
Likes: 118
From: Central Coast of CA
I assume the guide tube will twist back on and stay on without the lock on the end?
If it's that easy. it's just one more thing to add to my To-Do list for tomorrow.
Stewart
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 823
Likes: 5
From: Dallas, Oregon
The guide tube is plastic and has a couple of snap lugs to hold it in place. Twist it to expand the lugs out of engagement, and just push it back on until they snap in place. Very easy to remove and replace.
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Super Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 29,380
Likes: 118
From: Central Coast of CA
I was just wondering if the end of the tube attached to the lock, or if the lock were removed, the tube could still be reattached.
Thanks brother.
Stewart
still plays with trucks
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,743
Likes: 3
From: Twin Falls Idaho
Cliffhanger, its a common problem to have the spare winch rusted solid.The spare never gets moved so all the road debris and gunk sets up like concrete. Then when you do need it, it won't move. We are so busy doing other things we don't think about Spare tire winch cable maintenance til its too late. you can remove it, and maybe soak it in a bucket of WD40 OR PB Blaster and get it to free up. Lots of superdutys running around with the cable cut off with a torch so people could get the spare out.
they're not cheap either, I bought one from a scrap yard 4yrs ago and they had to get it from 2 states away and it cost $65 then!
Barney
they're not cheap either, I bought one from a scrap yard 4yrs ago and they had to get it from 2 states away and it cost $65 then!
Barney
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,726
Likes: 5
From: Slatington, PA
When mine got stuck like that, it was due to one of the strands of cable breaking and bird nesting inside the winch assembly. It would go up and down half an inch but no more. I ended up ripping the winch out and chaining the spare to one of the tie downs in the bed. I pulled the winch apart and everything inside was coated in a nice layer of grease. There was no rust at all. I probably would have been able to string a new cable and reuse it had I not beaten the living crap out of it with a 6lb sledge (it made me mad...)
Rather Be Floatin
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,468
Likes: 0
From: Marble Falls, Tx.
When mine got stuck like that, it was due to one of the strands of cable breaking and bird nesting inside the winch assembly. It would go up and down half an inch but no more. I ended up ripping the winch out and chaining the spare to one of the tie downs in the bed. I pulled the winch apart and everything inside was coated in a nice layer of grease. There was no rust at all. I probably would have been able to string a new cable and reuse it had I not beaten the living crap out of it with a 6lb sledge (it made me mad...)
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,102
Likes: 3
From: Virginia - SW (Riner)
I rotate my spare in when rotating tires - this way my winch gets used about 2 times a year. I put a light coating of grease on the cable before I winch the tire back up. So far mine's holding up ok. Have heard stories of the cable breaking and losing the spare while driving. Figure a dab of grease will keep the cable from corroding and hopefully keep it functioning.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 351
Likes: 0
From: Duluth
winch TLC
I had my cable snap on my spare, so I took it out and cleaned it totally out, found the drum inside a little tweaked so I ground at it to clean it up stuck in a new cable and grease and put it together, I also eliminated my key by welind a few 1/2 inch bolts to the place the stripped key was and welding a 1/2 inch socket to the key so now no matter what I can always get some kind of a key. I also figured and suggested in the past yo get a cheap 1500 lb winch and wire it in in the manual ones place. set up a switch in cab and or use the wireless remote type and you got yourself one heck of a setup.
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