Spare tire bolt is seized

[DelicaMark]

So I am removing my bush bar, steps and rear bumper to paint them and I went to lower the spare tire down to get at the rear bumper bolts and the bolt that lowers the spare tire is seized. Are we doing the normal lefty loosy (lower) righty tighty (raise) for the spare? It will turn maybe an 1/8 turn either way and then the hook that the bolt threads through binds on the spare tire cage.

I have sprayed it with wd-40 but I would like to know which way to turn it to lower.

Thanks!
-Mark

[marsgal42]

Nothing unusual. Undo it counter-clockwise.

...laura

[Jaz]

Mark, if it's really stuck solid, try heating the crap out of it with a gas torch, then cooling it quickly - this should release it's hold.

Just better hope that it's not cross threaded, because then it's a pain in the butt to get off! Being able to turn it just that small amount would make me worry that it's cross threaded...

[FalcoColumbarius]

Try spraying a little graphite or lithium into the top where the male enters the female, or for that matter 3in1 oil. When you eventually manage to get the mother free ~ paint the male part with this really cool silver anti seizure greasy stuff. I have been doing this to various parts of the Miss Lil' Bitchi and as I get through the truck (replacing the odd broken bolt, but by and large I get them free) ~ when I go back to them they work smoothly.

Falco.

[DelicaMark]

It would seem that a pipe on the end of the tire iron will also free it up . I do now have a two piece bolt though. I guess I'll replace that then.

It does bring up a good point. If you have never had your spare tire down you should give it a try. I am kind of glad it happened in my shop and not on the side of the road in the rain with a flat tire.

Thanks for the suggestions.

-Mark

[Jaz]

BF&I* is always my favourite tool

Had to use it many a time, particularly when stealing sign posts off the side of the road to use as an extension pipe on a particularly difficult turbo bolt...


(*Brute Force & Ignorance!)