I bought my truck about a month ago and wanted to check to see if it had the lock on the spare or not. I got the jack handle out and inserted it and the tire started to come down. BUT, the cable is frayed and it won't come down all the way. Can this cable be replced? or do I have to find another winch to install to get the tire to go up and down?

 

Replace the "winch". They don't come apart for repair. Mine was FUBAR and I had to replace it too.

 

Tension has to be on them when they are wound up, or else they'll end up like nc said.