I picked up a '97 a few weeks ago and just went to lower the spare tire to do some rust clean up and I can't get the tool in. Looks like previous owner did a small body lift and the two holes don't line up anymore. I tried a long 3/8" ratchet(even pounded on it with a dead plow hammer) and am still about an inch short because of the angle(can't see so there could be something in there too).

Any ideas? If not what's the easiest way to break it in order to get the tire out? Thanks

This is what I suggest you try. Take all the air out of the tire and see if that will take pressure off the spring mechanism that is hooked under the wheel and is attached to the winch cable. Maybe this will afford you the ability to get above the tire onto the turning mechanism of the winch to turn it by hand or with a tool, maybe a channel locks.

If it works and you can get the spare tire down, I'm guessing you will have to employ alternate means to carry a spare. Maybe a good excuse to get a nice aftermarket bumper with a tire carrier.

On my 01 the handle goes in at an angle. I didn't quite understand how it all worked until I got underneath the rig and checked it out. Not saying yours is the same way and not damaged; just that it may not work how you think it should.

If it is damaged; maybe you can find a good used one from a junk yard.

On my 98 its hard to line up and even then it rubs pretty hard on the upper side of the tool when cranking it down. I think the tool needs to go in at a slightly upward angle, it helped me to look down the hole with a flashlight

Can you insert a 3/8-drive u-joint into the 3/8-drive extensions that you are using to lower the tire?

It may have a body lift. See if you can see the lift pucks at the body mount bolts.
Mine has a 1 inch body lift and the tire lower tool doesn't line up, but if I bull it at an angle I can get it to work. Before I did the body lift, the rod lined up perfect.
I do like what pluton suggested with the 3/8 inch swivel driver extension.
Also the cable spool can seize up, so a good spray of wd-40 once you get at it will do it some good.

Had this problem after doing a 1" body lift. It was a PITA, and after trying all the above suggestions I ended up just removing the spare tire pulley mechanism from above. Had to really stretch, but was able to get up around the spare with a 12mm wrench. There are four bolts that come out from the top of the rail. @mtbtim 's suggestion of letting the air out of the tire is something I wish I'd thought of:

Hadn't thought about letting the air out of the tire... Thanks Tim. My first thought was to start breaking stuff.

Thanks for all the replies.

With my '98 the tool lines up perfectly and I've used it to measure how short I'm coming up with the '97 and it's about an inch. Just can't get the qure end of the tool to drop in and lock. I really beat the crap out of it with a dead blow hammer to see if I could get the little extra I needed but can't.

Pulled the grommet out and still can't get a swivel in there.

This '97 is my project car and will be the girlfriends daily driver once it's finished. She's tired of the giant GMC Yukon Denali XL she's been driving around and is looking forward to the idea of being able to make a u-turn every instead of a 4 point turn.
I have to imagine getting those bolts out will require a cutting tool. This '97 spent a lot of time in the snow and while the frame is in good shape all the nuts and bolts are rusty and a real PITA. In contrast... The '98 I've had since 2003, and spent most of it's in AZ and the Cali, doesn't have any rust. I really feel for you folks in the salt belt now. So with the '97 I have to allow a lot more time than the '98 to do things.

Don't have a real solution for you, but if you have AAA try hitting them up. My 5th gen was rear ended and the body shop that fixed it didn't quite line everything up properly. Wasn't sure if AAA would be able to do anything, but it's free so I hit them up anyway and the guy was able to get the spare tire off. Just something you may want to try.

Thanks.

Did you try letting the air out yet? Just wondering if that helped or not. I just got under my 2000 that is completely stock and I could get my fingers on the turning mechanism of the winch by reaching over the tire from the passenger side. There's a gap you can get your arm into between the bumper and the cross member the spare tire winch is bolted to. With the tire flat, I suspect I could get my whole hand on it. If you find you can't turn it by hand, maybe do what somebody suggested and get onto it with a 3/8" ratchet and short extension. There's not a ton of room, but if you have one of the nicer ratchets with 120 click points of engagement, I bet you'd have enough room to turn the ratchet and get your spare tire to the ground.

Try this, I just did and it works, but its not fun



3" & 10" extensions and a 3/8 swivel

Thanks Tim!!! I haven't... I'll give it a shot when I get home from work tonight and report back.
Thanks @Slobo Really appreciate the pix too. Will give it a shot when I get home tonight.

Thanks so much for your help @mtbtim and @Slobo ... Spare tire is off!!! I don't have one of the 120 click point ratchets so I had to do this one to two clicks at a time for the first 50 clicks. With the air out of the tire and the pressure off it made it so much easier.

It is the body lift that makes it impossible with the tool. Girlfriend just said " I guess we remove the body lift next". That ain't going to happen. Will just have to figure something else out.

Thanks so much for all the ideas.