2004 spare tire removal issue

[speedmachine]

Hi, new here. Having trouble getting the spare down (haven't even got to that secondary latch yet)- it's pretty rusted underneath and when I jam the tire tools into the removal tunnel I get some resistance, then it spins freely, then some resistance, then spins etc etc.. like it's trying to bite but won't engage. Would love to just get it off and throw it in the back or on the roof rack in case it's necessary this winter. Any advice would be awesome thanks

 

[Sasquatch]

I had a similar problem with mine so i just took a cutoff wheel and cut the metal piece that cradles the wheel and then bent it until the spare dropped off and replaced the hoist with a newer style one.

I later read that if you remove the license plate you can reach through the hole behind it and simply cut the cable if your spare has dropped enough to get in there.

 

[Jamo]

Mine was cut by the PO to get at the spare...just the ears. I cut the remaining junk off and found a good one on Ebay for $40. There's two different styles, mine was a taller thing, held in place with one tab and one bolt. Keep the plastic crank housing & bolt from yours to use on the "new" one if you go that route. No sense hogging interior with a spare when you already have a spot for it...IMO

Good luck...