Ok, got a flat tire and the winch that lets the spare tire down just spun without lowering the tire. Assuming the gears were shot in the thing, I cut the cable to get the spare. Getting home and removing the spare tire winch (Which wasn't easy) I found that the rod that connects the winch to the rod that goes to the bumber was missing a pin.

Does anyone know of a good way to repair the cable on the spare tire winch? I can't imagine what damage it would cause if the spare tire were to fall while on the road. Local salvage yards were no help for a replacement. Appreciate any and all suggestions.

 

My spare DID fall off on the road, travelling at 55 on a single lane road, thank god there was no one coming the other way because it rolled right into the oncoming traffic lane.

If you have the slack to do it, the only splice I would trust is a loop on either end of the cable with 2 clamps on each. Even that I would be weary of. I now just have mine with 2 big ratchet straps, just gotta make sure to oil the ratchet every now and then or it'll never come down.

 

Mine died on my old '98.5. Dealer replaced under warranty. The part was maybe $75. I use a ratchet strap around the tire and frame now for piece of mind.

 

my cable broke and I lost the spare while coming back from wood cutting, never even realized it either which is annoying. The cable brokenear the end, or at least I had enough to loop it around a short piece of small diameter galvanized water pipe with street elbows on the ends to locte it via the elbows sticking up through the lug holes. It's been that way for almost two years without an issue

 

What you need is a swage sleeve. The sleeves are pennies, but you need the proper swaging tools to crimp the sleeve.

Take the cable to any rigging business. You also can try a local airport where they perform small aircraft maintenance. Either one should be able to do the job inexpensivly.

 

Also, any marine supply store, like West Marine, has what you need. Carry the cable in and use their swageing tool.

 

I would swag it and the soilder it