Spare Wheel Hoist Problem

[TGAR]

Good morning,

2008 SIlverado LT Crew Cab 4x4. Had to put my spare on yesterday and had a heck of a time getting the hoist to lower the spare. Followed instructions in the manual and after several attempts and utilizing the jack as illustrated, I got it to drop. Unfortunatlely, I cranked the cable back up so I could drive without it hanging down and now cannot get it to release so I can put my spare back on. Any ideas as to what my options are? Not sure why it doesn't release. I should add that the cable lowers down but not the flange that holds the tire.

Thank you kindly.

Tim

[Jsdirt]

No doubt it's all rusted & full of sand from winter. Been happening to them since the first ones in the late 80's. God forbid they build it WEATHERPROOF ...

 

Might have to hook something heavy to it, or get an assistant to hang on it while you lower.

 

You can oil the hell out of it, but that will attract dirt - can't win with that setup, but at least it won't be seized up solid in a couple more years.

[TGAR]

Sometimes you just have to shake your head at how they design these things....would like to see a schematic so I could get an idea of how it is hangin up. It swings loose and all but I have no idea what is keeping it from lowering. The manual mentioned something about a secondary release, which is why I had to use the jack..Will keep investigating! Meanwhile, no spare!

[gmtech4]

lower it down till it stops ,remove plastic side peice on hoist ,wash out with hose ,blow off with air all over the hoist ,spray lots of WD40 or equivalant all over ....

 

raise tire back up compressing spring slightly ,lower and repeat the lube ,,,,,,it MAY come down and may NOT ,,,,

 

if all else fails ,take a dye grinder and cut off wheel to the hoist peice that holds up the tire while suporting the tire ,,,fold the cut portion down and remove from tire ,lower tire from support fixture,,,

 

to easy .......on a truck hoist ,,,lol !!!!

[jaredthomas27]

spray the piss outa it with wd40 and then use some channel locks to retract the secondary hook. then take your angle grinder and grind that damn hook off

[redjewel2ss]

unfortunately this is very common with these things. its also very common for people to crank it back up with no weight on it. yes its probably rusted up and full of dirt, reason why the spare was so hard to get down. but when you cranked it up with nothing on it, did you hold onto it while it went up so the line doesn't get tangled inside the hoist?

 

i worked at a tire shop for several years and this was all too common. people putting there spares on, then cranking the hoist back up with no weight on the line, and they try to blame us for it not coming back down when we go to put their spare back. even happened on newer trucks with "cleaner" undercarriages. its just a design flaw and every manufacturer uses them.

 

try pulling on the line while you crank it down. once you have it fully out, WD40 the heck out of it, and i would even add some grease to it. if you can't get it down, just unbolt it from the frame and buy a new one. there like $100-$150