My problem w/ my 2006 Escalade is not the typical secondary latch catching when the tire goes down 3-4". I have a similar but worse problem. The cable lowers but the spare is jammed up tight and will not budge. The tire cannot even be rotated it is so tight. Also, the mechanism on mine does not look like the ones on all the videos. I just got new tires and the guys at that shop had no idea how to release it.
A DIFFERENT STUCK SPARE TIRE PROBLEM
- Thread starter bldn10
- Start date
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Tonyrodz
Resident Resident
Post a pic of it. There's 1 or 2 bolts--i forget--that hold the holder to the frame, can you squeeze a socket with an extension through the spare to drop the entire assembly? That's what I had to do to mine. Easier to see what you're looking at and figure out.
I'll try to take a photo through the bolts holes but, like I said, my mechanism does not look like ones in the videos or like the one on your '03 Tahoe. IIRC there are no bolts holding it on - looks like it is welded or bonded.
It’s probably already been replaced at some point with the newer design that does not have the secondary latch. In which case it’s probably since rusted again and the winch is jammed.
They don’t cost that much, I’d do whatever destructive method works for you and your toolset and just replace it.
I got my OEM one to release the wheel by bending the flange that flares out in the center of the wheel opening. If you have a die grinder or dremel cut the cable end off. A fire wrench (oxy acetylene) would be even easier.
They don’t cost that much, I’d do whatever destructive method works for you and your toolset and just replace it.
I got my OEM one to release the wheel by bending the flange that flares out in the center of the wheel opening. If you have a die grinder or dremel cut the cable end off. A fire wrench (oxy acetylene) would be even easier.
S33k3r
Full Access Member
Can you let some of the air out of the tire to make it easier to get loose?
bill1013
Full Access Member
Tony! Where have I seen these pictures before? Let's see.....HHMM...Oh, yeah, I had the same problem. To get the spare tire to unlatch I put a 12 ton bottle jack under the spare tire (centered) and literally lifted the entire rear end of my Yuke 5 inches off the ground before the spare tire unlatched. After which I cut the locking mechanism and haven't had any problems since. Seems to be a recurring problem throughout the years for GMC trucks. Nice pics by the way!! Aloha!!!
First thing I thought of too but the valve would be on top and likely impossible to get to. Sooooooooo, stick a knife in the sidewall.
Tonyrodz
Resident Resident
Shame to ruin a good spare.
It is what it is and it is not my spare.
Why would the valve be on top, and how do you know?
