Warning: Check Your Spare Tire Pulleys

[homeyclaus]

I was changing the differential oil on my 4Runner yesterday, and the rear diff is MUCH easier with the spare tire off the vehicle (duh).

So I tried to get the jack handles in there to drop the tire. At some point, I stuck my finger up from underneath the tire to discover ... sticks, sand, and rocks.

With those cleared, everything worked as it should. However, I came away thinking that this was probably the best time to discover this "quirk." Where I would not like to discover this is a) on a muddy trail with a flat tire or b) at the side of a busy highway with a flat tire.

The moral of the story:

Check to make sure you can get your spare out regularly.

It's also a good time to check the tire pressure on that spare when you do

 

[rebelbowtie]

And depending in how old the spare is replace it. Rubber generally only last about 7-10 max. The DOT doesn't recommend anything older than 5 years old and iirc tire shops can't sell tires that have been on the shelf for over 3.

It has nothing to do with the mileage the tire has, it's the chemical compound of the rubber.

 

[36bound]

This is why I always do a five tire rotation. In addition to prolonging tread life, a five tire rotation gives me an opportunity to visually inspect my spare.

 

[harper7]

This is why I always do a five tire rotation. In addition to prolonging tread life, a five tire rotation gives me an opportunity to visually inspect my spare.

Your going to have to spend some money to do a 5 tire rotation on these.

The spare has a different steel rim, no TPMS sensor and the ECU only accepts 4 tires input for the TPMS.

 

[4RBob]

and winter driving causes a lot of rust/corrosion on the mechanism as well. I had to replace it on our 4th Gen. need to check it again, along with the 5th Gen, along with the spare tires pressures. thanks for the reminder.

 

[Intruder]

It's also a good time to check the tire pressure on that spare when you do

Or carry a compressor in your vehicle.

 

[36bound]

Harper7,

Agreed, not cheap; but handled.

 

[TechWrench]

Your going to have to spend some money to do a 5 tire rotation on these.

The spare has a different steel rim, no TPMS sensor and the ECU only accepts 4 tires input for the TPMS.

My '03 came stock with a full size spare, mounted on the same alloy wheel as the 4 on the ground. Though the '03 didn't come with TPMS, as I understand it, the newer models with TPMS do have a sensor on the spare, so including the spare in the rotation schedule only requires a bit more work.

 

[M1911]

I've only taken my spare down once on my '03. The pulley was so corroded that it was very hard. I haven't replaced the pulley yet, but thanks for the reminder.