Do this or get stuck....

3767 Views 8 Replies 9 Participants Last post by Nissentric, Aug 6, 2014

pennbiker

Discussion Starter · Apr 14, 2010

I was putting on a set of longer leaf shackles on the rear. As many of you know, it's helpful to drop the spare tire out of the way. Unfortunately, the mechanism that lowers the spare was pretty rusted. A few good shots with a hammer to loosen the rust, PB Blaster sprayed on top of the winding nut, and leaving it overnight finally got it to break loose. It was frustrating enough in my driveway. Can't imagine how pissed I'd be if I was actually in the middle of nowhere with a flat! I suggest that every 1st gen owner makes sure that they don't have the same problem. It's probably a good idea to lower the spare and give it a shot of PB or WD40 at least once a year.

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Wisconsinjohn

· #2 · Feb 2, 2011

Thought I'd add to this thread to give it a bump because it is important if you live in a rust belt state. I just got my Frontier a month ago. My spare lift was rusted solid. I soaked it with penetrating oil for 2 weeks, still no budge. I didn't want to spend the $95 for a new one. I got an extra wheel for a full size spare because I hate donuts, so I cut the mini spare off with a torch. Be careful if you do this because the canister is above the spare. Once I got the wheel off, I was able to unbolt the spare mechanism after heating the mount bolts. Once on the bench, I heated both sides of the mechanism until I got it to turn. I ran it back and forth and blew it out until the rust stopped coming out. Then I soaked it in motor oil. By the time I was done, I could turn it easily by hand. I will lubricate it regularly. And by the way, a 15" wheel with a 225/70R15 tire hangs just fine under there.

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