So I was in the process of adding a hitch to my 2000 4 dr blazer, and needed to lower the spare down from under the vehicle to access the frame. I haven't had the spare down in a while, so I guess the mechanism to lower the wheel has rusted solid. I ended up cracking the receiver that takes the flat end of the lug wrench.

I've attached two pictures. First, the cracked receiver (sorry for the blurry picture but notice the blown out right side). And second, the spooler that I assume the receiver turns in order to raise/lower the tire.

So I don't think I can fix it, so i'm going to just take it down and put the spare in the back of the truck. But how do I get it down? I'm thinking my only choice is to take a grinder to the pipe/conduit right where it meets the spooler which I think will release the cable to the spare. Right?

Any better ideas out there?

 

I would actually cut the end off the cable in the center of the tire.

If you do decide to replace the cable mechanism, you will be replacing the whole thing anyway.

 

Oh.... Good idea! I like it.... Ok.... I'll give it a shot this weekend. Now I gotta go get me a grinder. I'm hoping maybe remount it with long stainless carriage bolt drilled through the interior floor, and nut. I don't think I want to fit a full-size spare in my tailgate for long....