Trying to lower spare tire, but it won't drop (think it's rusted) Help!

[mac0822]

Long story, but I'm trying to lower my spare tire because the hitch I'm trying to use, will not line up with the spare tire right there.

I haven't lowered the spare tire in years and when I just tried it (with the Toyota supplied tools), the square end will not turn. I think it's rusted and will not budge...it's threading my tool that I'm using.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how I could get this thing to turn, so I can drop the tire?

If not, are there any other ways to get this tire down?

Thanks for any help!

 

[<<<<]

Are you able to turn the carrier? If winch turns but tire wont lower then its just stuck to frame. Tighten the winch up again then loosen it by 2-3 turns, kick the spare and it'll come free. GL

 

[mac0822]

Are you able to turn the carrier? If winch turns but tire wont lower then its just stuck to frame. Tighten the winch up again then loosen it by 2-3 turns, kick the spare and it'll come free. GL

Sorry, I wasn't clear. I cannot turn the carrier even one fraction. I know the tool is in the correct hole and I can feel it lock in, but I cannot turn it one bit. It must be rusted in place.

 

[mac0822]

Basically...Is there any way to access this carrier and loosen it up a tad with some WD-40?

 

[scenic-seeker]

Try and get as much WD-40 on the carrier as you can. Let it soak in and spray again. Have someone under the spare pushing/pulling it as you try to turn. Once I broke mine free, the steel rope frayed, and this may have been stopping it from lowering. Still using it and spraying it often just to keep it free. While you have the WD-40, shoot up the tail gate key lock as this gets really dirty and also freezes up.

 

[MidwestT4R]

I had the same issue. My TPMS triggered a low air warning and it was in the spare. The oil change place told me that the tire valve cap was frozen on the TPMS sensor and they did not want to try and remove it. They suggested that I go to Discount Tire to try and get a new TPMS sensor for the tire (not that i wanted to for over 100 bucks!) So I did my tire lowering mechanism was frozen solid just like yours. So they crawled under the runner and sprayed their version of liquid wrench on the cable mechanism that holds the tire up. My recollection is that they also sprayed some in the hole of the bumper where you insert the tool. It took several squirts over 20 minutes before they could get it loose. Finally, it came free and they didn't charge me a thing.

So give it a try on your own. Spray some on the mechanism above the tire and wait a while. Try it. If still stuck, repeat, but don't go crazy and apply so much force that you break it. Mine came loose so I bet yours will too.

Once loose lower it all the way and lube everything a lot. Also pull the valve cap on the spare just to make sure it's not metal. That's what it was on mine and why the cap froze to the tire valve/sensor. Replace with plastic caps and a spray of lubricant.

 

[MidwestT4R]

I should clarify to say that Discount tire also got the valve/sensor cap off with no damage to the sensor so when I say that I didn't pay anything I really didn't!

 

[earthrealm]

i am facing the same issue, my spare tyre has metallic vavle cover and its stuck on the valve....any tips on removing it?

 

[Martinjmpr]

I don't have anything to add (except maybe see if you can put an extra-long "straw" on the WD-40 can and squirt it down inside the place where the lowering tool goes) but I will say this:

Aren't you glad you found out the spare tire was frozen this way and not when you got a flat tire at 2am in a snowstorm on the side of a dark road somewhere? :nerd:

 

[earthrealm]

i hv been able to release the spare tire....but am having trouble removing the valve stem cover to inflate the tire...and thus stop the tpms light. the cover is metallic and seems to hv fused with the valve stem

 

[ebg18t]

i hv been able to release the spare tire....but am having trouble removing the valve stem cover to inflate the tire...and thus stop the tpms light. the cover is metallic and seems to hv fused with the valve stem

I used compressed air once to quickly freeze a metal valve cap to remove it. It was not tpms but I think the theory would be the same.