[tim594]

re-installing my hitch-frame mount, needed to drop the spare tire to get to the top nuts but lost key, after an hour of jimmying it, taking off the lic. plate and plastic guide tube towards the spare tire lowering winch, still couldnt get it.

the tail gate cost as much as a spare tire, why would Ford lock up a spare tire but allow a tailgate to be removed in about 7 seconds?

anyone got any fixes for this, i was thinking of drilling out a slot in the the key plate for the winch so that i could just slide down the
tire jack pole instead of a key...

do i really have to resort to calling the dealership to get a new key?

tim

 

[dboyw]

My truck did not come with a spare or the holder. Dealer got me one cheap. If I remember correctly, on the end of the tire holder, where the key fits, I removed the "key" there. Now the bars fit and lowers the spare without the key.

I think I just took either a pair of pliers or a screw driver and hammer and pulled or knocked it off. This is before it was put on the truck though.

Hope this helped and made sence.

 

[jimmy]

Sears sells a really good bolt remover that is meant for rounded off bolts but it works in this case too.
It is a socket with these reverse threaded "grabber" surfaces that will catch the outside of that keyed fastener that lowers the spare.
Ford sells a replacement fastener and key set that you can use to fix the problem once tire is down.

 

[j_apetersen]

If my memory serves me right If you can get your hand into the hole on the rim and a short flat wide tip screw driver will unscrew the ratchet. lock goes into the tube, tube does not go all the way to the ratchet.