Ivan Vegvary wrote:
> 2000 Chevy Silverado. Bought used in 2003.
>
> Need to remove spare (looks brand new) for the first time in order to
drill
> a hole (5th wheel mount) in the bed. The removal tool, inserted into a
hole
> in the rear bumper, is guided by a tube to its destination. However it
> never seems to catch on anything and turning doesn't lower the tire.
>
> Took it to my Chevy dealer****p tire/accessory center (not the service
> center) and they said "sure, we do it all the time and we'll show you
how".
> Well they were just as puzzled. Couldn't get the tire down.
>
> My choices seem to be get underneath and cut the cable on the hoist
> assembly. I was told that doing so would mean I would have to buy a
> complete hoist, as they come as an assembly. Pricy, I am told.
>
> I have already let the air out of the tire to remove some pressure on
the
> cable assembly. I let the weight of the truck down on blocks of wood
under
> the spare hoping to develop some slack in the cable. All to no avail.
I am
> able to reach up and above the tire to get at the single nut/bolt that
is
> holding the hoist, however, I can only access the nut (18mm) that is
welded
> to the frame.
>
> Anybody previously face this issue? Any comments on how to proceed?
They
> made this pretty theft proof. Can't get at the cable with bolt cutters.
> Only way is to get out the cutoff wheel on my grinder and cut the
visible
> hoist-bar in half.
>
> Thanks for all comments. Even for the one that is going to say "Should
have
> bought a Ford".
>
> Ivan Vegvary
>
>
If you can rotate the handle easily and the tire doesn't move you will
need a new hoist assy. The end that engages the handle is nothing more
than a crimped piece of tubing. The other end is attached to a worm
that turns a gear with the pulley sheave that the hoist cable winds
on/off. The entire thing is inside a housing. From your description it
sounds like the worm has either broken free of the drive extension OR
the end that engages the handle has been wallowed out so the handle
doesn't lock in.
You might try inserting the handle and giving it a sharp hit on the end
with a hammer and see if the worm frees up enough to let it work.
New they are expensive BUT since GM used the same unit on a LOT of
trucks the salvage yards have tons of them on wrecked trucks. prices run
between 25-75 bucks or so, depending on location.
--
Steve W.
Near Cooperstown, New York
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