Spare tire troubles

[JPVortex]

Hi, so on my 05 tahoe I want to drop the spare tire to make more room for replacing the differential cover and gasket, especially since the bolts are round and I need to hammer a socket onto them, so any room helps. Only problem is the spare tire, after down an inch or 2 stops moving. It also makes this clicking noise when it stops going down. I know theres a safety latch that can get stuck, is that what the problem is here?

Video of problem:

 

[Sparksalot]

I had something like this one my 2011. I discovered I needed to tighten the winch up a bit to get that latch to release. Then it came down fine.

 

[Myfirstz71]

Hi, so on my 05 tahoe I want to drop the spare tire to make more room for replacing the differential cover and gasket, especially since the bolts are round and I need to hammer a socket onto them, so any room helps. Only problem is the spare tire, after down an inch or 2 stops moving. It also makes this clicking noise when it stops going down. I know theres a safety latch that can get stuck, is that what the problem is here?

Video of problem:

Absolutely. The safety catch is supposed to release when you push the rod into place. They get super corroded and freeze up.

I used a ratchet strap to hold the spare tight to the frame, and loosened the cable. Sprayed the hell out of everything and waited. Tighten the cable up, remove the ratchet strap and lower the tire until it just stops. Then with a long thin prybar, a few choice words, and a hammer I was able to pop the safety release.

I found it helpful to reach up over the spare and feel the safety rod to understand where it would pivot and where I needed to angle the prybar for leverage and tap with hammer.

 

[Myfirstz71]

PB blaster is what I used to spray it down.

Once it was free I removed the spare and soaked the entire safety mechanism in oil.

FYI, with the spare out of the way one bolt and the entire spare tire assembly is off the truck. You may be able to find one at pick-a- part.

I now drop my spare once a year and spray down the safety catch

 

[Fless]

Have you tried the procedure in the manual?

 

[Myfirstz71]

@ Fless……… LMAO. ‍Rtfm

 

[Tonyrodz]

I had to bend the arm on the safety latch to get it to release.

 

[tungsten]

Is this system the same as the trucks? Ive had to cut off a few if they are.
Is there an aftermarket fix?

 

[TollKeeper]

Is this system the same as the trucks? Ive had to cut off a few if they are.
Is there an aftermarket fix?

After you get the spare tire down, remove the secondary catch, or replace the entire assembly. Those are the only 2 options that I know of.

 

[tungsten]

Absolutely. The safety catch is supposed to release when you push the rod into place. They get super corroded and freeze up.

I used a ratchet strap to hold the spare tight to the frame, and loosened the cable. Sprayed the hell out of everything and waited. Tighten the cable up, remove the ratchet strap and lower the tire until it just stops. Then with a long thin prybar, a few choice words, and a hammer I was able to pop the safety release.

I found it helpful to reach up over the spare and feel the safety rod to understand where it would pivot and where I needed to angle the prybar for leverage and tap with hammer.

That is the answer.I need to figure mine out.