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 dealership 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