2003 Chevy Silverado spare tire

Tiny
RBLASKA
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 60,000 MILES
My spare tire will not come down from under truck. There is this "T" lock type thing holding it up when cable is out. How do I get this to release?
Wednesday, March 4th, 2009 AT 2:01 PM

6 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Is the cable going through the T?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, March 4th, 2009 AT 3:33 PM
Tiny
RBLASKA
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Yes cable extends to the ground. "T" holds the tire
somehow
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, March 4th, 2009 AT 5:23 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Hi:
If the cable goes through the T, then the T must be rusted or corroded in place because the cable is what actually holds the tire in place not the T. The T is used to prevent the cable from comming off the spare tire. Try taking a brass hammer and tapping on the T to see if it will break loose. Be careful that the tire doesn't fall on you.

Let me know if that works.

Joe
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, March 4th, 2009 AT 10:20 PM
Tiny
RBLASKA
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
The "T" doesn't seem to be rusted. It holds the tire approx. 2 inches lower than fully tight to truck. Tire and "T" move, rotate & swing slightly. Not rusted. I'm hearing that there are catches on long end of "T"
that goes up into a latch of sorts. How does this release?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, March 5th, 2009 AT 8:36 AM
Tiny
RBLASKA
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I discovered that if I put a jack under tire while cable is drawn up tight. Holding the weight of the tire, then the cable and "Tee" comes down easily when cranked out, then let the tire down. "It Worked" but shouldn't be necessary. Thanks for all your help.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, March 9th, 2009 AT 8:22 PM
Tiny
KAT8982
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Had the same problem one night coming out of a restrurant and findinding my tire flat.
Keep working it up and down, from none use it does stick. It will loosen then spray cable once you get it all the way down.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, March 14th, 2009 AT 8:32 AM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links