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1997 Chevy Tahoe Spare Tire Removal

Tiny
MUCA65
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 CHEVROLET TAHOE
Tires and Wheels problem
1997 Chevy Tahoe V8 Four Wheel Drive Automatic 80K miles

I had a flat tire and AAA came out to try and get the spare off and replace the tire. However, they were unable to get the spare down by putting the hex tool in the sleeve and turning. The AAA tow truck guy swears that the sleeve through which the hex tool goes is merely a sleeve and doesn't do the turning. However, I think he's wrong. In any case, he ended up removing the metal sleeve and now the sleeve won't go back into place and no one can get the spare down. What can I do?
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Monday, August 3rd, 2009 AT 11:16 PM

9 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Is something blocking the sleve?
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Monday, August 10th, 2009 AT 8:14 PM
Tiny
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Well, the sleeve seems to just spin now when we try to put it back on, like the connector is stripped or a piece is missing that would hold it in place. There is a hole in the end of the sleeve that looks like a pin could go in there so don't know if something is missing.
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Monday, August 10th, 2009 AT 8:32 PM
Tiny
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THere should be a cotter pin through that hole that connects the sleve. Look for a hole where it connects. Place a cotter pin through it and see if that helps.

Let me know.
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Monday, August 10th, 2009 AT 10:57 PM
Tiny
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Problem is how do you get to the spot to put the cotter pin in place? The location is above the spare tire and there is no access for hands to get in there, let alone see what is going on. Is there any other way to get the spare out so we can get access to the space above the spare?
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Monday, August 10th, 2009 AT 11:24 PM
Tiny
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THere really isn't a way other than cutting the cable. The sleve should push over the receiver and I would think it would turn the release.
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Monday, August 10th, 2009 AT 11:35 PM
Tiny
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Ugh. Is the cable expensive to replace? And where is it?

Is it possible that one of the ends could be stripped?

We can (sometimes) get the sleeve to go over the receiver but then won't make a tight fit and just turns freely.
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Monday, August 10th, 2009 AT 11:42 PM
Tiny
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I believe that is why the cotter pin was there, to make sure it would turn the receiver. THe cable is attached to the steel part that holds the tire under the vehicle. Before cutting it, contact a dealer and make sure the part is available and the price.

ALso, I'm not a body man. Just for the heck of it, call a body shop and ask if they ever had this type of problem after an accident. They may have a trick to remove it.

Let me know what you find.
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Tuesday, August 11th, 2009 AT 1:46 PM
Tiny
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Great idea about the body shop - i'll give that a shot.
I'll let you know what I find out and what the dealer says as well before cutting anything. Thanks for all your suggestions and help!
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Tuesday, August 11th, 2009 AT 4:32 PM
Tiny
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Yes, please let me know. I'm anxious to hear what they say.
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Tuesday, August 11th, 2009 AT 6:01 PM

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