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Spare wheel carrier issues

CarMech1969

Full Member
Joined
Jul 1, 2016
Messages
498
Location
Scarborough, ON
Hello CAFCNA members!
Yesterday, I had to drop the spare wheel to make room for other repairs.
Upon attempting to raise the spare back into place, it feels like the cable is getting jammed and it won't raise completely.
I tried raising and lowering it many times. Same thing.
I then let all the cable out, and then reeled it back in without the wheel. It reeled in smoothly.
So then I let some cable back out again, hooked up the spare again, and tried raising it back into place.
The problem came back (Cable jams, and the winch would click or 'freewheel' and would stop reeling any further).
What could be wrong with it?
It was late and I had just got done replacing popped brake lines on the rear axle, and was in no mood to investigate the matter any further.
Thanks folks for any ideas you may have!

CarMech1969
 
my first thought, and i only say this because i almost did this last time i had my spare out... is the space wheel facing the correct side down? if the wrong side of the wheel is UP, then the face of the rim hits the bottom of the hoist too soon. the deeper side of the spare needs to face up toward the hoist.
 
Hello CAFCNA members!
Yesterday, I had to drop the spare wheel to make room for other repairs.
Upon attempting to raise the spare back into place, it feels like the cable is getting jammed and it won't raise completely.
I tried raising and lowering it many times. Same thing.
I then let all the cable out, and then reeled it back in without the wheel. It reeled in smoothly.
So then I let some cable back out again, hooked up the spare again, and tried raising it back into place.
The problem came back (Cable jams, and the winch would click or 'freewheel' and would stop reeling any further).
What could be wrong with it?
It was late and I had just got done replacing popped brake lines on the rear axle, and was in no mood to investigate the matter any further.
Thanks folks for any ideas you may have!

CarMech1969

When I lowered my spare I had to spray it with white lithium grease to re-lubricate the pulley mechanism and kept raising / lowering until it was smooth again.
 
I ran into the same issue with mine when I did my lines. I can't get it up all the way with the tire on it. I think the rust has gotta the best of it. I've been tempting fate and running without it. I plan to buy a new mechanism and a new spare since my spare was also toast. The mechanism is only $50 or so if I'm not mistaken. I should probably have that lined up for when I put my winter tires on.
 
my first thought, and i only say this because i almost did this last time i had my spare out... is the space wheel facing the correct side down? if the wrong side of the wheel is UP, then the face of the rim hits the bottom of the hoist too soon. the deeper side of the spare needs to face up toward the hoist.
Gotcha.
My reminder of this is how are you gonna check the air pressure? Haha!
So yes, the outside of the wheel was facing down.
It worked perfectly the last time I used it...when I did a complete fuel line replacement.
A thought I had is that maybe the cable got tangled inside the reel housing...where too much cable is rolling up in one spot.
Will get to it sometime...or not. Lol...
Another thing I noticed is that the spare is super heavy, these 8 bolt wheels are no joke.
It worked without the wheel just fine when I fiddled with it last night.
To be continued....

CarMech1969
 
I ran into the same issue with mine when I did my lines. I can't get it up all the way with the tire on it. I think the rust has gotta the best of it. I've been tempting fate and running without it. I plan to buy a new mechanism and a new spare since my spare was also toast. The mechanism is only $50 or so if I'm not mistaken. I should probably have that lined up for when I put my winter tires on.
On my old truck, (which was also a GM product) the wheel winch crapped out completely and I eliminated it. I hung a U-bolt off of the mounting point where the winch once was, and then hung the spare off of that through a couple of bolt holes. Put on the nuts and done. Nice simple solution! ;D
 
Not sure but maybe that "clutch" mechanism in the pulley is worn or needs tightening if you can even get at it? On my 2003, you raise the tire and keep cranking until it clicks twice (like the clutch on the torque adjustable drills).

"Raise the tire fully against the underside of the vehicle by turning the wheel wrench clockwise until you hear two clicks or feel it skip twice. You cannot overtighten the cable."
 
My routine is to lower the spare (on my truck) at each oil change, inspecting and lubing the mechanism.

My current dilemma: My recently acquired Avalanche had teh ignition switch broken and replaced (with a different key), the Av only came w/ that key.. I had the dealer make me a new new to fit teh door, etc... It works great in the tailgate and side boxes.. however it doesn't work in the door nor spare tire access.. I believe due to lack of use in it's 17 year life and harsh Michigan winters (salt) . If the WD40 I load in them daily doesn't free the locks up I will be replacing the door lock, however I don't see an straight forward way to do anything with the locked spare tire access.. I crawled under to give it a quick look, the spare tire and it's mechanism looks like it has been there since the factory put it there and is a rusted mess.. I have a bad feeling I'll be lookin' for a rim and spare tire to put in the bed in my future.

I like CARMECH 1969's solution, it may be my future.
 
My routine is to lower the spare (on my truck) at each oil change, inspecting and lubing the mechanism.

My current dilemma: My recently acquired Avalanche had teh ignition switch broken and replaced (with a different key), the Av only came w/ that key.. I had the dealer make me a new new to fit teh door, etc... It works great in the tailgate and side boxes.. however it doesn't work in the door nor spare tire access.. I believe due to lack of use in it's 17 year life and harsh Michigan winters (salt) . If the WD40 I load in them daily doesn't free the locks up I will be replacing the door lock, however I don't see an straight forward way to do anything with the locked spare tire access.. I crawled under to give it a quick look, the spare tire and it's mechanism looks like it has been there since the factory put it there and is a rusted mess.. I have a bad feeling I'll be lookin' for a rim and spare tire to put in the bed in my future.

I like CARMECH 1969's solution, it may be my future.
I would have done it this way if I had a 1500 Avalanche.
Not with a 2500 though. Lol. It would be way too difficult to hoist up the tire by hand and then hold it there while putting the nuts onto the U bolt :ROFLMAO:
For now, I just cleaned up my spare of any grease, loose rust, and dirt...and put it in the bed.
At least it will be there and easy to get to if I need it.
 
I would have done it this way if I had a 1500 Avalanche.
Not with a 2500 though. Lol. It would be way too difficult to hoist up the tire by hand and then hold it there while putting the nuts onto the U bolt :ROFLMAO:
For now, I just cleaned up my spare of any grease, loose rust, and dirt...and put it in the bed.
At least it will be there and easy to get to if I need it.
On my "other trucks", I exercise the spare tire 'hoist' mechanism everytime I change the oil... gives me a bit of confidence it will work if I ever need it.
 
Thanks everyone for the feedback.
I was thinking that the problem is most likely what 2003VAAV described.
Today I decided to fiddle around with that mechanism again (as I was too beat out to do anything else...loaded and unloaded a 26 foot truck yesterday twice...lol...pizza and beer only does so much :LOL:).
All the parts are clean and rust free, and the mechanism works perfectly fine.
I welded up that clutch mechanism solid, and then cleaned it up good to remove weld spatter and what have you.
Gave everything a light coat of white lithium grease (including the cable) and reassembled the hoist.
Worked like a dream.
Put it back on the truck, attempted to raise the spare...and it almost reached the top, but would simply not go any more. It was jamming up AGAIN, and when I tried to lower and go back up again, the same thing happened. Then I applied some more force - and the square drive on the end of the rods that come with the tire tool kit got rounded out :mad:
No surprise that none of the auto manufacturers want to make quality mechanisms that last anymore.
They'll just use the cheapest and jankiest materials that they can get away with.
Not interested in buying a new one, because the pulley inside the housing is made of PLASTIC and it is a cheap piece of junk.
I'd buy a new one if an improved design is available.
Otherwise, fuggedabouddit...
Looks like hanging the spare off a U bolt may be in the cards for this truck as well.

CarMech1969
 
UPDATE:
Apparently, the hoist that is on my truck IS the "improved" design (yeah right LOL) because there is no secondary latch on it.
The GM original one has a secondary latch, and an extended housing to accommodate it.
It would be interesting to see what's out there.
Anybody got pics of their tire hoist?
Supposedly they changed the design because the secondary latch was getting frozen due to rust, and people stuck on the side of the road could not get their spares down.
Now things are starting to make sense. No wonder why the hoist on my truck and its parts looked so clean and new.
Looks like someone had changed it out already.
The one I have has a plastic pulley inside with an eccentric gear drive mechanism.
I bet the factory original ones don't have that chintzy arrangement.
Seeing that my truck is a 2002, it seems highly doubtful that this one I have currently is original.
Even the spare tire tool kit seems very cheap and flimsy.
The one I have from my GMT400 truck (that I once owned) is WAY more robust.
So I think it's pretty much confirmed.
Looks like I will have to fab something up, and put this problem to bed once and for all.

CarMech1969
 
Ok gang, here's what I got done today....
As you can see, my hoist does not have a secondary latch like the GM original one.
Which leads me to believe it has been already replaced.

IMG_6136.JPG



Got it apart again, and the plastic pulley got destroyed this time around...for whatever reason.

IMG_6137.JPG



Gonna save the housing and use it as an anchor point for a length of 1/2" threaded rod.

IMG_6138.JPG



Welding up that clutch mechanism was all for naught. Oh well.

IMG_6139.JPG



Got some 1/2" rod here and welded the nut in place so that it can never come out of the housing.

IMG_6140.JPG



Here's the rod fastened in place on the housing, with an additional nut and 2 washers.

IMG_6141.JPG


I put the plastic pulley and the little axle piece back into the housing so that it is closed off. Last thing I need is mice or mud daubers moving in.

IMG_6142.JPG



Put the cover back on with 4 small bolts.

IMG_6143.JPG




I cut the rod a little too long as I screwed up in my calculations.
So I cut it down shorter.
The overall length needs to be 9 1/2" long so that the spare can be slid underneath it.

IMG_6144.JPG



Here's the finished product all bolted up under the Av....

IMG_6145.JPG



When putting the spare up, I shoved a couple of 4x4s under the spare on the opposite side so I could lift it off the ground high enough to get the nut started. Then simply snugged it down with a 3/4" wrench and done.
The spare can be released with any available tool at all, be it a crescent wrench or channelocks or whatever.
Then just simply let it fall to the ground. Lol. You won't care about how to get the flat tire back up there.
You can do that at home with a couple lengths of 4x4 when you have the tire replaced.

More than one way to skin a cat!

CarMech1969
 
You would be surprised how many of them broke off while you were driving that's why they put the safety latch on. Dorman parts suck, plastic does not rust but plastic wears out.
 
You would be surprised how many of them broke off while you were driving that's why they put the safety latch on.
My older GM truck (GMT400) had the early design without the secondary latch.
Then the cables rotted and tires were rolling into live lanes, just as you say...lmao.
Then they go to a secondary latch - which no one lubricates or takes care of.
People were fighting with the rusted secondary latches on the side of the road, because no one cares for their stuff. Lol!
So let's redesign the hoist a 3rd time, but this time with a cheap plastic pulley and an eccentric gear mechanism, that in theory worked well - until you put weight on it. Then it jams up and turns into a hot mess. What a chintzy piece of junk. :ROFLMAO:
Hopefully the last time I have to deal with this nonsense!
With a 1/2" rod, that spare wheel is not going anywhere.

CarMech1969
 
I grease mine once a year, but it takes a size 12 shoe to break the latch loose then the wheel comes off. :laugh:

There she is a 20 year old bf goodwich that has never been on the ground.

IMG_20220616_133217092.jpg
 
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I grease mine once a year, but it takes a size 12 shoe to break the latch loose then the wheel comes off. :laugh:

There she is a 20 year old bf goodwich that has never been on the ground.

View attachment 234783
Does it still have air in it? My spare rim looked like that and wouldn't hold air for a day. I still need to buy a replacement spare and hoist. It just hasn't been high on the priority list.
 
MS03 2500,
You have the original GM hoist, which is fine if you maintain it properly so that the latch doesn't seize up - which I see that you are doing.
Way better than that JOKE of a design the replacement hoists use. Saw some vids on YT and the hoists like yours use a steel pulley.
So of course, going to plastic is the way to go. LMAO! :LOL:
 
Does it still have air in it? My spare rim looked like that and wouldn't hold air for a day. I still need to buy a replacement spare and hoist. It just hasn't been high on the priority list.
My spare is in not too terrible of shape. It holds air for a while, but eventually goes down. I check it every now and then - but I'm not too concerned because I keep a portable electric air pump under the back seat.
 
I drop the spares, clean them up then lube the lift and latches once every year or so, whether they need it or not.

Both lifts and latches look fairly new and function as they should.

Not having rust issues does that.

:) (y)
 
MS03 2500... That rim be look-in awful nasty...
 
Let's see if I can answer all the comments.


Yes, it still holds 40 PSI I check it every year when I take it down to lube the hoist.
I'm sure if I used a wire brush and painted the rim again it would look much better, but the only person that's going to see it is me or the person that I just ran over, >:D

Now the reason It's never been on the road is
1. I buy new tires every 5-6 years no matter what, the UV light does a number on them.
2. My second gas tank is right above the spare so to protect it I keep the spare in place.

When you buy e rated 10 ply tires you have to use the special hi pressure valve stems or they will leak

Oppps the tire is a Firestone Steelflex
 
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