Lowering spare tire

[timd]

'99 Tacoma Prerunner- Trying to lower spare tire but can't figure out where to connect the hook of the tool to lower the spare tire. I can feel a round cylinder straight thru from the opening between the bed and the bumper but is just spins. Is something missing?
H E L P, please!!!

[tacoma man.]

i think you have to turn it to the left.

[TacomaPilot]

I don't think the hook part goes in, I think it is the square end. Take a flashlight and look in the opening and see what the fitting looks like. After you insert it, turn it to the left. It will take several revolutions before you see any movement of the tire. If you aren't sure if it is doing anything, reach up and push on the tire. It will move some if it has come loose, even though it may not appear to have moved at all.

[Tred]

My 2002 has a hook that goes into a slit. It is not a hex or a square or anything, but the hook, that also attaches to the bottle jack.

Like TacomaPilot said, use a flashlight to see if it's in correctly.

If it's not moving, make sure the system is free of dirt clogs and such. (My friend's spare on his Nissan truck was clogged and we had to kick it around a bit to let it loose.)

If it is indeed clogged with dirt, make sure you wheel all the slack back in before you unclog it. Otherwise, you'll end up below the spare if you decide to kick it to unclog!!