Anyone have problems with the cable spare tire lift/carrier??

I took out the spare tire to replace the steel spare rim with an aluminum one - I was planning to do the 5-position tire rotation thing.

That cable that lifts up the spare is totally jacked up after one miserable use. The wire rope cable is all frayed and now it takes a gorilla to wind up the spare with the little crank thing. My truck is still under warranty and I am wondering if Ford will replace it??

 

They should replace it, no problem.

I have a related question.
I went to check the air pressure of my spare but the spare was mounted stem side up against the frame. Is this correct?
Please go check yours and post a reply.
Thanks,
Jim

 

Yeah, the spare is mounted stem side up. You have to lower it to check the air pressure. It is mounted this way to protect the stem from being knocked off, to prevent the wheel from becoming filled with mud/dirt, and so the carrier plate won't scratch the pretty side of the wheel, I guess.

 

Yeah but what about the stupid indentions that the frame leaves in the tire, now ain't that just nice.

 

I did just turned my spare around to have the stem sticking down. Gonna collect mud and dirt in the rim either way. I also spray some penetrating oil on the cable every now and then.