Spare Tire

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Apr 23, 2011 | 08:46 AM

bfaulkner

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Spare Tire

Hey Y'all!
Gotta 99 F-150. It has been awhile since I tried lowering the spare tire down from under my truck. (I know I should use it on a regular basis to keep this from happening) Well I tried last night and the rod won't even lock in to crank it down. Its probably full of rust from not using it. shot a bunch of WD-40 up in there and let it sit. If I can't still get the rod in there how would I go about and get the spare down? Any suggestions?

Apr 23, 2011 | 09:09 AM

shorebird

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Joined: Feb 2003

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From: Long Beach, Ms.

Have you lowered it before?
Do you have the security key for the spare?

Apr 23, 2011 | 11:05 AM

bfaulkner

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I have lowered it before but it has been quite awhile and there was never a security key for my truck at least.

Apr 23, 2011 | 01:46 PM

Ultramagdan

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Joined: Feb 2000

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From: Kansas

If the rod won't lock in it might have a bunch of dust sucked up in there that is preventing the rod from engaging. Take to a car wash and stick the wand up there as far as you can and see if that will clean it out enough.

Apr 24, 2011 | 06:32 PM

Spotty

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Joined: Jan 2006

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From: Minnesota

Mine broke about 6 months ago. Wound up taking my angle grinder and cutting the piece off the end of the cable so the tire would come off. That whole assembly unbolts from the frame with I think 2 bolts. I took mine off, tried to fix, but no good. I'm sure you can buy a new assembly, but being the cheapo I am, I took a piece of steel and welded a 1/2" bolt on it and mounted that back up where the assembly use to be. I took another small piece of steel, drilled a hole in it. Then I lfted the tire up with the hub thru the bolt, then the piece of steel, then double nutted it. To be honest it is a real PITA to take the tire on and off that bolt....but it works and money is tight these days being in construction and all. Good luck with all...