Spare Tire Crank down mechanism
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,200
Likes: 4
From: Ottawa, Ontario Canada
Spare Tire Crank down mechanism
Is it true that the spare tire crank down mechanism should be operated and lubed periodically?
How often, should the spare be dropped, where exactly do you have to lube it, and with what kind of product?
How tight should it be cranked back up, and is there a scientific way of measuring it. Hand tight?
I had a flat recently and the Ford roadside assist called the Canadian Auto Club.......the driver said lube this thing or I might be sorry in the future, but he was low on details.
Thanks.
How often, should the spare be dropped, where exactly do you have to lube it, and with what kind of product?
How tight should it be cranked back up, and is there a scientific way of measuring it. Hand tight?
I had a flat recently and the Ford roadside assist called the Canadian Auto Club.......the driver said lube this thing or I might be sorry in the future, but he was low on details.
Thanks.
New User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: PA
All i can say is that you should check the mechanism out every once in a while. I have a 99 F-150 and the cable tore and the spare tire went bouncing out from under the truck going down the road. Luckily nobody was hurt.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 436
Likes: 0
From: Kitimat, British Columbia
Originally Posted by Big-Red-Lariat
Is it true that the spare tire crank down mechanism should be operated and lubed periodically?
How often, should the spare be dropped, where exactly do you have to lube it, and with what kind of product?
How tight should it be cranked back up, and is there a scientific way of measuring it. Hand tight?
I had a flat recently and the Ford roadside assist called the Canadian Auto Club.......the driver said lube this thing or I might be sorry in the future, but he was low on details.
Thanks.
How often, should the spare be dropped, where exactly do you have to lube it, and with what kind of product?
How tight should it be cranked back up, and is there a scientific way of measuring it. Hand tight?
I had a flat recently and the Ford roadside assist called the Canadian Auto Club.......the driver said lube this thing or I might be sorry in the future, but he was low on details.
Thanks.
FireHazard
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,200
Likes: 4
From: Ottawa, Ontario Canada
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 76
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From: North Chicago
I had the same problem that ntwfox had. I have a 99 F-150 4x4 offroad and was backing out of the driveway and the spare just dropped because the end of the cable had rotted off. that is what I would inspect is if there is any wear or tear on the end of the cable. try to put something on the end of it so that it doesnt rust.
My father-in-law had a 97 F150 that did the same thing except he lost the spare at a stop light and drove away without it because he had no idea that it had dropped. It isnt very cheap to replace the whoe spare. Cant hurt to check it though.
My father-in-law had a 97 F150 that did the same thing except he lost the spare at a stop light and drove away without it because he had no idea that it had dropped. It isnt very cheap to replace the whoe spare. Cant hurt to check it though.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 222
Likes: 4
From: NE PA
I had an older explorer that had the same problem. Going on to an interstate overpass I heard a big bang and looked in the rear view mirror only to see my spare tire about 50 feet in the air. No one was behind me but the tire proceeded to bounce over the side of the bridge onto the road below. All I could picture was someone with a tire through their windshield! Luckly it didn't hit anyone, but what a scare!
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,595
Likes: 52
From: Lawton, Oklahoma
Ive seen a couple cars that struck a spare tire sitting in the middle of the highway. Mucho damage.
Definitely inspect it once a year at least. They arent too terribly expensive to replace if you have any doubts about the safety of it, or sling the tire in the bed.
Definitely inspect it once a year at least. They arent too terribly expensive to replace if you have any doubts about the safety of it, or sling the tire in the bed.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 11,496
Likes: 6
From: Kansas
I did find out that dirt can get in the tube and when you put the wrench in it, it just wallows out the socket. When this happens you cannot lower the tire.
Yes it happened to me. It was not from a lack of power applied to the unit either. Too much dirt is too much dirt.
Yes it happened to me. It was not from a lack of power applied to the unit either. Too much dirt is too much dirt.
New User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
I had the dirt problem the other day too, finally manged to get the tire lowered, but had to pry off the guide tube and clean the end of the internal security key out with a pin. Might have to shove a rag in the end of the tube to keep the dirt out.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 230
Likes: 0
From: Manitoba, Canada
The cable busted on mine and I lost my tire who knows where.
I have an entire thread about it.
Yes, twice a year I'd lower and inspect the tire and crank assembly. Just put any kind of grease or lubricant on the cable to prevent rusting.
I have an entire thread about it.
Yes, twice a year I'd lower and inspect the tire and crank assembly. Just put any kind of grease or lubricant on the cable to prevent rusting.
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