I have a 1986 F-250 Diesel. I haven't ever taken the spare tire off but need to now. I'm not sure how the thing is removed.

On one side there is a threaded shaft with a round thing on the end with a square emboss that look like a 1/2" rachet would fit but it does not turn.

On the other end there is a threaded rod with a eyelet like loop in the end of the rod.

I'm almost ready to get the cutting torch but thought I'd ask here to see if anyone knew how to get the tire holder off.

Thanks.

Robin

 

Look closely at the eylet end. Just above the eyelet is a bracket that has a cutout that the eyelet will fit through. Unscrew the eyelet rod about 6 turns and you can position it to drop through the cutout in the bracket.

Lower the tire and support assembly to the ground. The spare tire is held on the support assembly by a bracket. Unscrew the bracket and the spare comes right off.

While doing this, remember that your spare tire and rim are heavy. Don't get under it while lowering it to the ground.

Lou Braun

 

They both should turn. The square hole is the same size as a 1/2 socket so you can put an extension on a 1/2 drive and loosen it. ( I use my impact wrench )

You only need to take this out if you are dropping the whole assembly though

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The one with the eyelet just unscrews with whatever you have handy. Probably engineered to be used with the lug wrench but I use a big honkin screwdriver on mine.

To get the spare out, you unscrew the one with the eyelet a few turns until you get enough slack where you can slide it back from the strap holding the tire up. Right now it is in a narrow groove but once loose, you can slide it to a larger hole where the whole strap will drop down exposing the tire. From there you just let it lay at an angle on the grond and then turn the big loopy thing in the middle of the wheel holding the tire in the whole gizmo.

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If yours doesn't want to turn, all I can suggest is to start squirting the Break Free / Liquid Wrench as you must be rusted in place.

I got lucky and have a California truck so no rust or gunk anywhere. I still hit mine with some WD-40 every few months though just in case.

Good Luck,

Lee

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EDIT - In hindsight, You could probably use a breaker bar to back off the one with the square notch. If that does't work, then a breaker bar and a piece of pipe for extra torque. If you can get either side loose, there should be enough slack to get the loopy one off. All you need is a little play and you can slip it right out.

 

Thanks for the insight. I will try it this weekend. I'm guessing the threads are rusted.

 

Just a handy note. If you put your jack under the tire you can use it to support it, while you loosen the eye bolt and safely and easily lower it down. Using a jack also makes it alot easier to put the spare back up. I think the eyelet was made to be used with the factory lug wrench (under the hood).