Spare tire won't release

[RicVA]

My spare tire will not release. The cable is all the way out (freely goes in and out). Looks like there is some finger lock which is holding the plastic tire support up.

Anyone have this problem before?

signed

VERY Frustrated! (I was showing my wife how "easy: it is to change a tire....)

[slantsixness]

no, are you sure it's not just stuck? If it is, watch out you don't get hurt when it falls down.

the retainer, or tire might be stuck on the tar paper.

[caravan96]

Originally Posted by slantsixness

no, are you sure it's not just stuck? If it is, watch out you don't get hurt when it falls down.

the retainer, or tire might be stuck on the tar paper.

On both my and my brother's 96 Caravans, the latch that held the finger mechanism up rusts in the closed position. The latch is attached by a short thin metal rod to a plastic cam at the base of the bolt that you turn to lower the tire. The tire must be lowered to get at this cam and metal rod but not too far--the weight of the tire on the finger holds the latch in closed position. There is very little room to work. Try to pull the metal rod or cam toward the rear of the vehicle while supporting the tire on boards at the angle that lets you work in there.

A mirror might be helpful to see between the tire and the van's bottom. Looking at a mechanism that works on another van might also help. I greased mine up two years ago and tied a heavy cord to the latch. Yesterday it was stuck again but a tug on the cord released it.

You are right that it is very frustrating. Good luck.