What's The Secret??? (Addendum)

See reply for "87 spare tire".

Okay. I found the jackhandle, crank and hole in the bumper but I can only turn the crank about a 1/4 turn either direction and I can't see above the tire to be able to get in there to lubricate the mechanism. Any suggestions on what to do next? jj

It's deliberately stiff cranking - there's a spring-loaded catch on the handle part of the hanger winch, so the spare doesn't unwind and drop down by itself. It should unwind counter-clockwise but whichever way you get it moving, it will drop.

After the tire is down, you can easily get to the mechanism to lubricate it.

And WD40 is NOT a long-term lubricant, it's Stoddard Solvent and Kerosene - good for cleaning out the nasty crap, then you go for final clean with brake cleaner, let that evaporate, and lubricate it. Use something like white lithium grease in the gears.

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I had this EXACT same problem on an 89 4 runner. I found it out the hard way, whilst on the side of the road in winter. My mechanism had tons of road crush and gravel in it and wouldn't function. The solution was to take it to a garage, and cut a link in the chain that holds the tire up, releasing the tire. Then clean out the mechanism, then grease the hell out of it for next time. Worked fine after that. I just bought a new screw on link to replace the one i cut out.

Postee

Thanks for the tip. I suppose that that's what I'm gonna have to do too. Thanks again. Jerry