Missing key to spare tire lock
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,847
Likes: 37
From: Eastern shore,Salisbur,MD
Missing key to spare tire lock
Hello all,
Im JimG 1098, over from the 48'-60' group.
Need some help on an isue with my sons truck
2004 F250, Super Duty, XLT, 4wh dr
He bought it used and found out recently, that he does not have a key to the spare tire lock mechinism at the rear of the truck. and had been told that ford does not sell them.
Any sugestions or help would be appreciated.
His initial investigation leeds him to believe that he has to cut the cable to get the tire down to take apart or dismantle the lock.
Thanks all
Jim G 1098
Im JimG 1098, over from the 48'-60' group.
Need some help on an isue with my sons truck
2004 F250, Super Duty, XLT, 4wh dr
He bought it used and found out recently, that he does not have a key to the spare tire lock mechinism at the rear of the truck. and had been told that ford does not sell them.
Any sugestions or help would be appreciated.
His initial investigation leeds him to believe that he has to cut the cable to get the tire down to take apart or dismantle the lock.
Thanks all
Jim G 1098
Last edited by JimG1098; Jun 22, 2011 at 06:01 PM. Reason: Spelling
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 315
Likes: 2
From: Miami
No need to cut the cable.
just use a ratchet, some extensions, and a 9/16ths socket:
Ford Super Duty Spare Tire Carrier | Superdutypsd.com
just use a ratchet, some extensions, and a 9/16ths socket:
Ford Super Duty Spare Tire Carrier | Superdutypsd.com
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,847
Likes: 37
From: Eastern shore,Salisbur,MD
So Fla David
Many thanks.
Going up there this weekend. Will take caare of it.
Jim G 1098
1954 F-750 Fire Truck in progress
1954 Ford F550+ 4x2 - Painting of parts Ford F-750%
Many thanks.
Going up there this weekend. Will take caare of it.
Jim G 1098
1954 F-750 Fire Truck in progress
1954 Ford F550+ 4x2 - Painting of parts Ford F-750%
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,398
Likes: 317
From: Whittier, CA
If you want to fix it, instead of aborting it, don't use that method.
Ford does not sell the keys. McGard does. But there are about 20 different keys, so you need to know which one your truck has. For that you go to your Ford dealer and ask them to try their master set and show you which one it is. You might need to ask the service manager, because they keep the master set locked up for obvious reasons. Also, some smaller dealers may not have them, but larger dealerships should.
Once you know the code, just go to the McGard site and order the key. I think it cost me about $30. It's really not that hard to do it right. Don't know why so many people screw up their locks.
Ford does not sell the keys. McGard does. But there are about 20 different keys, so you need to know which one your truck has. For that you go to your Ford dealer and ask them to try their master set and show you which one it is. You might need to ask the service manager, because they keep the master set locked up for obvious reasons. Also, some smaller dealers may not have them, but larger dealerships should.
Once you know the code, just go to the McGard site and order the key. I think it cost me about $30. It's really not that hard to do it right. Don't know why so many people screw up their locks.
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,398
Likes: 317
From: Whittier, CA
Did that include the lock and the key?
That's another option, and saves you the visit to the dealer. Just replace them as a set.
BTW, my dealer didn't charge me anything to identify the lock code.
That's another option, and saves you the visit to the dealer. Just replace them as a set.
BTW, my dealer didn't charge me anything to identify the lock code.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Blue Hill Township
It was a little bit of a bugger getting the old lock off with the tire still up but it is definitely doable.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Scio, OR
As I understand it, you can pull the lock off of the end of the winch crank and then the jack crank tool will fit right in and you don't need a key anymore. It's hard to reach up around there, and you have to move the tube out of the way, but it can be done.
Of course, then you don't have a lock. But I doubt spare tire thieves care much about locks anyway.
Of course, then you don't have a lock. But I doubt spare tire thieves care much about locks anyway.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,847
Likes: 37
From: Eastern shore,Salisbur,MD
Thanks to all for their help on the spare tire lock issue.
Went uo to NY this weekend and took care of it with the suggested 9/16ths Poped right out after lowering
thanks again
JimG 1098
Went uo to NY this weekend and took care of it with the suggested 9/16ths Poped right out after lowering
thanks again
JimG 1098
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 48
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From: New Orleans
I know I'm bringing a thread back from the dead here, but I found an alternative method today that some people may find useful. I bought my '13 F250 last week with only 6K miles on it, and whoever had it before me had already lost the spare tire "key". I don't like the key anyway, so I decided to get rid of it. I used a simple method requiring two tools, a big a** flathead screwdriver and a dead blow hammer:
Took me about 5 minutes to assess the situation after removing the plastic funnel shaped guide (just twist and pull, it takes almost no effort) and about 30 seconds to do the job. Looking in from the rear passenger side wheel well, push the big a** screwdriver into the hole that has the big red arrow pointing at it in this pic:
Once you get the screwdriver almost all the way in, position it so that the flat part of the head of the screwdriver has a good bite on the side of the lock. Give it a solid whack (or two) with the dead blow hammer and it pops right out. The offending lock:
Never had a problem with stolen spares around me. Now I can just use the jack tools that came with the truck to drop the tire and I don't ever have to worry about losing the key.
Took me about 5 minutes to assess the situation after removing the plastic funnel shaped guide (just twist and pull, it takes almost no effort) and about 30 seconds to do the job. Looking in from the rear passenger side wheel well, push the big a** screwdriver into the hole that has the big red arrow pointing at it in this pic:
Once you get the screwdriver almost all the way in, position it so that the flat part of the head of the screwdriver has a good bite on the side of the lock. Give it a solid whack (or two) with the dead blow hammer and it pops right out. The offending lock:
Never had a problem with stolen spares around me. Now I can just use the jack tools that came with the truck to drop the tire and I don't ever have to worry about losing the key.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 14,266
Likes: 2,187
<table border="0" cellSpacing="6" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td noWrap="nowrap">Thats a great alternative Diabolical.
I tired the 9/16 socket that some folks say work.
I tried the bolt extractor that some say worked.
I would up using a gas pipe with a large cotter pin clipped on the end. After banging the pipe onto the lock, I was able to lower the tire by hand with just turning the pipe. After I pulled the pipe out, the lock came with it. So now, basic tools will do it.
</td><td width="100%"></td></tr></tbody></table>
I tired the 9/16 socket that some folks say work.
I tried the bolt extractor that some say worked.
I would up using a gas pipe with a large cotter pin clipped on the end. After banging the pipe onto the lock, I was able to lower the tire by hand with just turning the pipe. After I pulled the pipe out, the lock came with it. So now, basic tools will do it.
</td><td width="100%"></td></tr></tbody></table>