Anyone else have a bitch of a time getting the stupid spare tire lock thing out of the bumper on their truck?

I swapped out my spare tire from the stock 235/70R17 to a 265/70R17 to match what I have on the ground, and the stupid thing just didn't want to move by just using the key like it should.

I had to crawl under the truck, spray it with PB Blaster, tried the key again, nothing. So, at that point, I grabbed my big vise-grips and grabbed into it from behind the bumper and cranked it so the thing lined up so it would come out. At that point, I just gave it a couple wacks with my big hammer, and it came right out. No damage to my bumper.

Threw that stupid thing right in the garbage.

Tire came down no problem, thankfully. I've had to cut a few out at work and replace the entire crank mechanism for the customers.

A bit more work than I anticipated, but got my tire swapped out.

 

Yep, had the same issue, rusted solid. There is a small C clip on the backside, I used a screwdriver and hammer to drive off, then the locks comes right off.

Mine is in the garabage too, but I don't like the nasty looking hole it left behind.

 

Yeah, I'm not a fan of the hole it left either. BUT, the hole isn't deformed or anything, so its not too horrible.

I'm gonna try to figure out something to plug said hole with that I can just pop in and out if spare tire access is needed.

Might go play around with my uncle's mill and/or lathe and see what I can come up with.

 

Drain plug off of a boat? HA HA

 

LOL!

My first thought was a shotgun shell. But, I think it may be a bit small. I'll check tomorrow. If it fits, I'll figure out a way to rig it up to stay in there. (an empty shell of course)

 

Put a power plug in the hole...like cig lighter.