Lowering Spare Tire?

AB Silverback · May 28, 2006

I did a search here and couldn't find an answer so here goes, I was installing a trailer hitch on my 2005 Yukon today and tried to lower the spare tire to get it out of the way and all it would do is drop about 3 inches then stop. The cable will keep coming out below the tire but that was it. I tried the secondary lock release mentioned in the manual with the jack far enough to jack the back of the vehicle up a bit and it still wouldn't come down. I bought this vehicle used and it is no longer on warranty, it looks like the previous owner had it down before but I can't figure it out, any ideas?

larry arizona · May 28, 2006

You may have to either have someone pull down on the tire while spinning the tire release or you have a broken tire carrier. These things are junk. Does it click when you spin it? Sometimes dealers use an impact to wind them up and that can strip the internals even though they are supposed to have a overtorque clutch in them.

Bummer. To replace you have to use bolt cutter to cut the cable and then you can unbolt and replace the tire carrier.

vinniej · May 28, 2006

did you crank it up first? I was having trouble with mine (on my colorado), and then I cranked up 'til it clicked a couple times, then down.

AB Silverback · May 28, 2006

You may have to either have someone pull down on the tire while spinning the tire release or you have a broken tire carrier. To replace you have to use bolt cutter to cut the cable and then you can unbolt and replace the tire carrier.

I tried pulling the tire down with a friend who was helping me put the hitch on, it didn't help. The cable does come out, we had down it a foot below the tire, something other than the cable is holding it up.

did you crank it up first? I was having trouble with mine (on my colorado), and then I cranked up 'til it clicked a couple times, then down.

I tried cranking it up until it clicked and down a few times still no luck.

Thanks for the suggestions guys, anybody else have any ideas?

kdm101 · May 28, 2006

There is nothing other than that cable that holds the tire up. It might have fused itself to the paint on the frame rails. You're just going to have to give it some extra muscle to get it loose. Loosen the cable only about an inch or so, then try kicking the crap out of it. Just don't be directly underneath the tire when you do this. If it's stuck to the frame rails, it should come loose.

Last time I had mine down it did come loose, but I could see clear indentations on the tire side wall where it was in contact with the frame. Gotta wonder if it would cause vibrations if you ever had to use it in an emergency.

AB Silverback · May 28, 2006

It's not stuck to the frame rails either as it will lower about 3 inches then stops, it hangs there and you can rock it back and forth no problem. Of course with it only down that far it is very hard to see what is holding it up still.

asilverblazer · May 28, 2006

It lower 3" the stops, the cable keeps going down, and the tire hangs up there dangling 3" from the top? That is weird, can you fit your hand up there and feel around? feel around wheel hub hole for something. Although as was said if the ccables is coming down the tire should be right behind it.

I promise that if you get directly under it with your mouth and eyes wide open and blow on it, it will come crahing down on your chest filling your mouth and eyes with dirt and gravel.

vinniej · May 28, 2006

Do you have a manual? if so go to page 5-110. it explains how to release the secondary latch.

firefighteremt3100 · May 29, 2006

There is nothing other than that cable that holds the tire up. It might have fused itself to the paint on the frame rails. You're just going to have to give it some extra muscle to get it loose. Loosen the cable only about an inch or so, then try kicking the crap out of it. Just don't be directly underneath the tire when you do this. If it's stuck to the frame rails, it should come loose.

Last time I had mine down it did come loose, but I could see clear indentations on the tire side wall where it was in contact with the frame. Gotta wonder if it would cause vibrations if you ever had to use it in an emergency.

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I'd second this suggestion, only because I work for a towing company and I had a customer with the exact problem. Actually...it became my problem when I changed her tired. I had to beat the crap out of it after loosening up the cable. I don't know why it was stuck up there, other than it seemed like a pretty snug fit to begin with. Another thing you might want to do once you get this out, if its not broken, or even if you have to get a new one, occasionally lower your tire down and lube up the cable. All the years and miles in different climates and conditions will allow all kinds of crap to build up inside the tire and the winching assembly. Lubing this up with some kind of cable lube...(LPS is really good but kinda expensive), will soften the cable up (which I know isn't really a big concern on this application), but also keep it turning smoothly.

AB Silverback · May 29, 2006

It lower 3" the stops, the cable keeps going down, and the tire hangs up there dangling 3" from the top? That is weird, can you fit your hand up there and feel around? feel around wheel hub hole for something. Although as was said if the ccables is coming down the tire should be right behind it.
I promise that if you get directly under it with your mouth and eyes wide open and blow on it, it will come crahing down on your chest filling your mouth and eyes with dirt and gravel.

You are probably right there, I had the cable end about 6" below the tire and thought about going underneath it but changed my mind. I will have to try feeling around through the hub hole like you said, I'm running out of ideas.

Do you have a manual? if so go to page 5-110. it explains how to release the secondary latch.

We tried that procedure a few times, it didn't do anything.

I am almost wondering if the tire can't go high enough to release the secondary latch if I have one, I checked the pressure in the tire and it is at 35 pounds which is the recommended inflation pressure, I was thinking about deflating the tire so it can go higher up, what do you guys think? Sounds pretty stupid though to have a spare tire that you have to deflate to lower.