How do I get the plastic tube off the peace that let's the spare up and down or do I even need to take it off?
Don

 

I just remoevd my tire carrier because the cable is jammed in side. Just remove the two bolts and the plastic tube is removed
by pushing in a locking tab like a cannon plug. I just pryed it off with a screwdriver it was ok.

I've got a '98 F150 supercab

 

Thanks Mike , that's what I did was got a big scew driver in there and I got the plastic tube off and the rest was easy.
Thanks
Don