Best way to free up spare tire cable winch

[doconnor21]

What is the best way to free up a siezed spare tire holder cable winch?

[chuck16]

I would think if you can't get to the winch from down below then you may be looking at taking the box off then you could at least get to the winch.

However, if you can see the winch from below perhaps you can tap it with a screw driver or a hammer and try and brake it loose....

[sportin83]

i would try to get to any part of the mechanism and squirt wd40 or some type of rust eater and lubricant and let is sit for a few mins, then try to lower and you may need to squirt it several times.

[kenny-1907]

I agree with sportin83. Get a good quality penatrating oil and soak the crap outta it and let it sit for a couple of hours and soak it again before trying it and if it does not break loose let it sit a bit longer. No sense in causing yourself more work in having to replace the winch mechanisim if you don't let the penatrating fluid work long enough. I mean it is not loke you can expect it to break loose possibly years of rust and corrision depending on if they use alot of road salt where you are in just a few minutes. I know here they use a ton of it in the winter and that is why i get all my vehicles rust proofed and under coated.