He said I needed a new winch because the plastic T- bracket holding the tire probably is fused inside its locking box. Once the bolts are off though, it comes out easy. You'll have to soak the mechanism with rust penetrant and try working it until it relea … ses. To replace the front one disconnect the battery, then just remove the 3 bolts on the mounting bracket, loosen the bolt holding the alternator and move it out of the way. Use this to lower the spare tire. I used the above advise , had to tighten cable up all the way, after a couple good hits with a large hammer on the lower bolt it came down with ease Answer.
Use lug tool to spin hex nut found under the round plastic cover - This will winch the tire cable. Now if this is your first time lowering it I suggest you do this on a flat surface and with a… The spare tire should be hung up underneath the middle of the vehicle. There is a nut that lowers the spare tire on a cable hidden under a flap in the carpet. It does not come with any accessories. You should be able to feel them with your finger tips.
The wire isn't what's stopping you from getting the tire down. The main support column, holds the t-bracket to the car. The wheel well is plastic and there is a door that comes off. Remember also, that even if your car is jacked up properly, another car could hit it and knock it over; therefore, be sure to give careful consideration to your environment before raising your car. The second part is the main square steel support column.
This danger is higher because the tire location requires the driver to crawl nearly halfway under the car before he or she can begin removing the tire from its hanger. It's a horrible design flaw. I called my Chrysler dealer service dept. There's a clip pita to take off - spray carb cleaner on it to remove grease first that you have to take of - slide the red clip back. Please allow an additional 5-7 days handling time before these items are shipped.
If you look on the floor board between the drivers and passenger side you will find and plastic cap. The first is the T-Bracket. I still keep current with the latest automotive technology. To lower and raise it, there should be a socket perhaps covered with plastic plug between the front seats on the floor. We use tools; no blow torches or cutting tools are used to remove our parts. I hit the one on the right side a few times, then the one on the left.
This item may qualify for eBays Global Shipping Program if you are outside the United States. Then back to the right and then to the left. Underneth is a hex head bolt that lowers the spare tire. It's stuck in the capture mechanism and the mechanism is rusted. When I took the tire off the cable, my safet mechanism had deteriorated so that the spring was no longer attached and the piece of steel holding the prongs was partially eaten away. The tire will come down a few inches and hang by the plastic t-bone holder.
I pushed the plastic T to the side, looked up through the hole in the middle of the spare tire wheel where you will see two prongs inside the square metal tube coming down from the floor of the car. This of course doesn't apply if it is a full size spare tire, but a donut? Now here comes the one essential bit of information. This requires the wrench that came with the car or a similar one. The t-bracket holds the spare tire up. The car jack has a socket which fits it. If you bought this used, I would not be suprised if it was not there.
I lubricated the plastic T- bracket before I reinstalled the spare. You will then have to reach under and pull the tire out, or drive forward enough to reach. You will find the bolt socket in the jack bag. The jack on mine is located in the back cargo area on the left side. Inside you should find the jack and the tool to crank down the tire. The two prongs hold the plastic sleeve that runs along the aluminum cable in place.
Dodge equipped its Caravan minivans with a spare tire stowed underneath the vehicle. If you look on the floor board between the drivers and passenger side you will find and plastic cap. Removing the spare tire on a Dodge Caravan requires the driver to use the scissor jack to jack the vehicle up and then crawl under the car to remove the tire from its place underneath the driver and passenger seats. If the tire does not come down all the way then the safety catch is stuck. You have to remove the entire instrument panel to get to it. Removing the spare tire in this manner is very dangerous. The best way to avoid injury is to never get under your vehicle while it is jacked up.