Spare Tire Lowering Mechanism - Not Functional

[OD Ram]

Hey guys, the tube I insert the jack into to lower the spare tire is broken off at the end, so lowering it is impossible. Is there another way to get it down without breaking what holds it up? I was just planning on cutting through what keeps it in place but it will ruin it. If it's impossible to get around this problem, what clever ways can I haul the spare tire on the bed of my truck?

Thanks,
OD Ram

 

[quietpeen]

sound like you will have to cut through the hanger. After that you might be able to get the parts to replace it from a junk yard

 

[OD Ram]

Never thought of getting some spare parts from a junkyard. There's one nearby, I'll look.

 

[jlb]

You could tack weld something on the tube enough to get a grip to turn it down.

 

[OD Ram]

Too late now, cut it off yesterday. It seemed easier than trying to fix it. I'll get it fixed at some point.

 

[Batt4Christ]

When I bought my first ram (a 2000 ram 1500 Quad Cab), I had a flat tire on the interstate nowhere near an exit.

Got pulled off. Found my lowering tool and went at it... Only problem- the little receiver thing was missing on the mechanism. So there was nothing to turn!

Not a happy day! Two friends came and we worked out tails off for nearly 2 hours to get that spare down and the tire changed. Paid a "friendly" visit to the dealer the next day. The service guy said I was nuts- must have been doing something wrong/didn't know what I was doing....

Well- came back 15 minutes later and apologized. They didn't have the part in stock, so they took it off a truck on the lot! They said it look ad if it was never installed.