How To Lower Spare Tire On 04 Sierra

KyRob · October 8, 2007

I work on and maintain robotic equipment that costs millions of dollars and I can't get the dang spare tire out from under a truck. The cable will let out all the way but the tire only comes down about 4 inches. I tried to release the secondary latch, if it even has one, how do you tell, and nothing happens. I am pretty well aggravated and will be taking it to the dealer for help unless someone has any ideas. You would think they would have a better way to get a tire out from under a truck. Anyway, any ideas and anyone else have this problem. Thanks in advance.

Rob

asepgrad98 · October 8, 2007

The cable will let out all the way but the tire only comes down about 4 inches

huh, if the cable came out all the way then the tire would be on the ground

ZR Rider · October 9, 2007

The cable sould lower it all the way to the ground plus some slack. Your cable is likely rusted up and has become one with the spool.

MS3DALE · October 9, 2007

huh, if the cable came out all the way then the tire would be on the ground

Not necessarily,Starting sometime around '02 or '03 GM added a "secondary latch" as a safety measue so if the cable broke the spare tire/wheel would not "fall" to the ground. From the '04 owners manual.....

Secondary Latch System

Your vehicle has an underbody mounted tire hoist assembly equipped with a secondary latch system. It's designed to stop the spare tire from suddenly falling off your vehicle. For the secondary latch to work, the spare must be installed with the valve stem pointing down. See "Storing a Flat or Spare Tire, Jack and Tools" earlier in this section.

Caution: Before beginning this procedure read all the instructions. Failure to read and follow the instructions could damage the hoist assembly and you and others could get hurt. Read and follow the instructions listed next.

To release the spare tire from the secondary latch do the following:

1.Check under the vehicle to see if the cable end is visible.

2.If the cable is not visible proceed to Step 6. If it is visible, first try to tighten the cable by turning the wheel wrench clockwise until you hear two clicks or feel it skip twice. You cannot overtighten the cable.

3.Loosen the cable by turning the wrench counterclockwise three or four turns.

4.Repeat this procedure at least two times. If the spare tire lowers to the ground, continue with Step 5 of "Removing the Spare Tire and Tools" earlier in this section.

5.Turn the wrench counterclockwise until approximately six inches (15 cm) of cable is exposed.

6.Stand the wheel blocks on their shortest ends, with the backs facing each other.

7.Place the bottom edge of the jack on the wheel blocks, separating them so that the jack is balanced securely.

8.Attach the jack handle, extension, and wheel wrench to the jack and place it (with the wheel blocks) under the vehicle towards the front of the rear bumper. Position the center lift point of the jack under the center of the spare tire.

9.Turn the wrench clockwise to raise the jack until it lifts the end fitting.

10.Continue raising the jack until the spare tire stops moving upward and is held firmly in place. The secondary latch has released and the spare tire is balancing on the jack.

11.Lower the jack by turning the wheel wrench counterclockwise. Keep lowering the jack until the spare tire slides off the jack or is hanging by the cable.

Caution: Someone standing too close during the procedure could be injured by the jack. If the spare tire does not slide off the jack completely, make sure no one is behind you or on either side of you as you pull the jack out from the under spare.

12.Disconnect the jack handle from the jack and carefully remove the jack. Use one hand to push against the spare while firmly pulling the jack out from under the spare tire with the other hand. If the spare tire is hanging from the cable, insert the hoist handle, extension and wheel wrench into the hoist shaft hole in the bumper and turn the wheel wrench counterclockwise to lower the spare the rest of the way.

13.Tilt the retainer at the end of the cable and pull it through the wheel opening. Pull the tire out from under the vehicle.

14.If the cable is hanging under the vehicle, turn the wheel wrench clockwise to raise the cable back up.

Have the hoist assembly inspected as soon as you can. You will not be able to store a spare or flat tire using the hoist assembly until it has been replaced

CapitalTruck · October 9, 2007

I had an issue like this at one point, luckily mine was without the tire attached to it (I hoisted the thing up too far when it had no tire on it). I was able to finagle the "safety" mechanism and get it to unlock. Thinking back though, I don't think I would have been able to do it like I did if the tire was on there. Basically, you just need to get a jack to push up in the center of that thing so it will release. This thing is a pain in the ass.

MS3DALE · October 9, 2007

Yea,I can definetly see where its a pain in the ass,but I can also understand the safety aspect of having the secondary latch so that spare don't go flying if that cable breaks!!

I'll never have to worry about it though because I keep my spare in the bed!

KyRob · October 14, 2007

Well, I soaked the whole deal with PB blaster and let it sit a few days. Then I cranked it up tight like the book said and it worked. The secondary latch is similsr to a hook inside a tube that is spring loaded. The inside had rusted and it would not operate. I cleaned it up and loaded the cylinder with lubriplate grease. I will check it a couple times a year to be sure it stays working. May not be a bad habit for everyone to get into.

Rob