Advice Needed: Freeing cable winch for spare tire

[wolfox]

Hey guys, time for me to ask a question!

I had the unfortunate experience of having a flat tire greet me one morning in the parking lot of my apartment complex. Getting the truck jacked up and the wheel off was nothing big. However, I could not access my full-size spare under the back of the truck because the winch is seized and is just about a solid ball of dirt and rust. I bent the tip of the stamped steel tire iron they supply for yanking your wheel covers and lug nuts off, trying to get the winch to lower my spare.

What is generally the best way of getting one of these freed up? I have half a mind to take it to a local spray-n-wash to hit it with a high pressure hose to break the crud off and then soak it in half a can of WD-40. Any input is welcome before I go trying to break the fool thing off the bottom of my bumper. Thanks guys!

[BlazerLT]

I never drop it, but what I do is carry one of those air pumps that plug into the cigarette lighter and it will pump it up in about 5 minutes.

Then I go to the tire center.

Much easier than dealing with the whole tire switch.

[blazee]

You must have a pretty good one, when I have flat it takes 45 minutes for mine to do the job. It is pretty small though fits nicely under the front of the back seat. I also carry a plug kit for bad punctures. Never had to use the spare, never even seen the winch. If it is like most winches i would recommend something like axle grease after you get it free so it won't happen again.

[BlazerLT]

Yea, it is really decent.

One of those flashlight, pump combos and it really hauls air.