Spare Tire Hoist Nightmare 2004 Silverado 1500

Serpentine69 · September 1, 2015

Hello... my research of issues with the rear spare tire hoist for pickup owners clearly indicate that a lot of people have had problems getting them to actually work; recently purchased a 2004 Chev Silverado and tried to remove spare tire... several hours with pry bars, sludge hammer, penetrating oil...you name it, and nothing worked; discovered most end up resorting to a cut-off saw of sorts...finally I hesitantly cut support mechanism off....later vented my frustration on hoist mechanism (with grinder/sludge hammer) to discover it was badly seized inside...what a disgraceful, POS Chev folks devised for a hoist! And to replace it in Canada is looking like 300 bucks for a bit of metal! Shame on Chev engineers here!

Attached pictures of the POS mechanism.

I assume most people simply putting spare in box of pickup nowadays?

Now I feel better!

newdude · September 1, 2015

Shame on GM for designing it, shame on Canada for salting roads, shame on truck owners for not cleaning/washing their vehicles and lubricating assorted parts and pieces.

It's an eleven year old truck and based on the rust I see, the previous owner didn't care about his truck too much. Either snag a new one or toss the tire in your bed and run a bike lock around the bed tie down on the lower bed wall.

SteveBBB · September 1, 2015

What a rusty mess, if you have room I would use the bed for the spare. Welcome to the group!!

Gone Again · September 1, 2015

This tool does work and could save some grief.

GMP · September 1, 2015

Lol. You have idea how many guys I know had the same problem. Unless u take your spare tire down every couple months and lube everything that's what happens. And who has the time or energy to do that.

Chevor · September 1, 2015

One of those things overlooked as a regular maintenance item. Make sure it drops and grease the cable at oil changes. Had mine seize up last year on the 2010.

kstruckcountry · September 1, 2015

The rust/dirt isn't always the issue, many times the "safety" latch catches when it shouldn't so you can't get it down. Or in my case, have to lay under the spare and lift it so the hook can (just barely) be undone.

The Tacomas had the opposite issue for a while, they'd dump the tire on the move.

On my 1990, the spare was filled with about 30 lbs of mud, yet the winch worked fine letting it down. Maybe look into finding one of the older winches and retrofitting it?

Currently my spare is chained in the bed. I'm considering a D-ring near the back of the bed to latch it onto (keeping weight on rear), or possibly building a hinged "cradle" it could ride in under the pickup.

WilliamBos · September 2, 2015

That's why I lower mine 3 times a year, and lube it. Never had an issue with my 04, and not putting a free tire in the back of my box.

Serpentine69 · September 2, 2015

Shame on GM for designing it, shame on Canada for salting roads, shame on truck owners for not cleaning/washing their vehicles and lubricating assorted parts and pieces.

It's an eleven year old truck and based on the rust I see, the previous owner didn't care about his truck too much. Either snag a new one or toss the tire in your bed and run a bike lock around the bed tie down on the lower bed wall.

Well it was owned by a Municipality who informed me they had problems with hoist early on; release inside wouldn't let go and eventually they gave up... the only thing you can lubricate is SS cable if you can get it to release and drop tire. You would think they would have lubricated inside hoist area well prior to pressure riveting it together (assembly)... I think I will do like most said and sadly stick it in the truck bed and secure... the truck was sprayed at some point but getting up inside tire to hoist area was obviously messed

Formulabruce · September 3, 2015

when I went to 265 tires, my spare would hit on the reciever. Thats when I just removed it and set it aside in excellent working condition. With E rated tires I dont get flats and can chain spare in bed easily enough Mine will never go back on. You can find these in many junk yards.

These guys are right near me and have just about anything for our trucks..http://www.justchevytrucks.com/home.html

They ship all over and Canada Im sure is available for shipping