I've seen other posts regarding the spare tire winch failing. Now mine has
Fortunately, I was just going to rotate my tires and didn't have a flat.
When we bought the truck, I showed my wife how to lower the spare tire using the winch.
That was ONE down-up trip for the tire. Today, it only went half-way down and just "clicks" when I turn the crank. I have appointment to take it to dealer Monday AM.
A word of warning: If you have a flat, go to the dealer for winch replacement ASAP, cause it ain't gonna work the second time...

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1999 F-250 XLT Super Duty Crew Cab Long Bed
V-10, Automatic 4R100, 4.30 Limited Slip.
GVW = 6700# Towing Capacity = 13,300#
4 Wheel ABS disks + Reese 15K hitch
Dark Hunter Green. Ford Running Boards.
Grey Rhino-Liner. Captain's Chairs. CD+Tape
Polished Stainless Steel Wheel-well Molding http://members.home.net/jchartier/jnctrk.html

 

I haven't used mine yet but you brought up a good point. It probably wouldn't hurt to lower it every now and then and spray the cable down with some silicone. -ZRracer

 

I was one of those who has already had it replaced due to failure. I've since had one flat and it worked flawlessly (One DOWN-UP cycle). I've still got plenty of warranty (and a cell-phone with which to call Ford Roadside Assistance if it doesn't work the next time). I wonder, though, how much this replacement costs as it looks like the odds are pretty good that sometime after I'm out of warranty it will fail on me.

Eagle

 

I've had no problems with mine, I lowered right after I bought the truck, and just had a flat about 2 weeks ago. Everything is working just fine...maybe I got lucky and don't have the one time use spare tire winch.

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99 F-150,XLT, Silver, 2WD, 4.2L, 5spd, RegCab, Shrt WB, Styleside.
Current Mods:Billet grille, Line-X bedliner, 5%window tint all the way around, Alpine CD w/2 MTX Subs & Rockford Fosgate 250w amp. K&N Airfilter. Glasspac w/dual exhaust exits out the back. Blue Ion Headlights.
Future Mods: Superchip, driving lights, & a custom paint job

 

After reading about how the spare tire on some trucks had damage, I checked mine (it had some dents but I put a piece of carpet between it and the frame so that should help). Anyway, my winch worked just like its supposed to. It had so much factory grease on it that I don't think it'll ever go dry.

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'99 F150 SC, 4x2, Oxford white, flareside, 5.4, 3.55 rearend,
bodyside mouldings, Snugtop hard tonneau, K&N dropin and airbox mod. Duraliner drop-in (gave up on the Penda Nascar).
Future mods: 2/4 lowering, bra and some Roush stuff. Also want Gibson Supertruck

 

Yesterday, the dealer pulled the winch, said the cable was frayed. The have "special ordered a part". Cable ?? New winch ??
I called them this morning to remind them that I had a dealer installed spare tire lock on that winch and now I just have the key. I told them I hope they still have the rest of the lock...
BTW - they said I receive a postcard in the mail when the special ordered part was in and I could bring the truck back then.
In the meantime, I am running around with a spare tire laying in the bed of the truck.
Also, I check my tire for damage - NONE. I looked under the truck where the spare rides and, on my Super Duty, there are 4 points of contact, each about 3x4 inches - nice and smooth, so as to cause no tire damage. I was happy to see that.

 

After reading this post i can understand the problems. My 250 Superduty winch always has worked fine (99) but the one on the 2000 Lariat is busted and now the spare is in the back of the truck. Hard to get the fishouse in and dealer wants $104 dollars for thispiece. before i fabricate one does any one have a good place to get one for a decent price. I dont think 50 bucks plus 20-25 dollars shipping on Ebay is a good deal. Most of our junkyards here in Minnesota say they are all rusted so don't want to hassle with removing them. Any ideas on cross references would be helpful. Thanks

 

Not saying this is it, but for others reading maybe, DO NOT LOWER THE TIRE, TAKE IT OFF AND WIND UP WITH NO RESISTANCE!!! Some people do this and it won't go all the way up. That's the only problem I've ever encountered. My new one actually has a spring on the end of the cable under the bracket for tension.