I can raise and lower the cable without a tire on it. When I mount the tire up on it it won't raise or lower the tire at all.

Is the lift mechanism junk? It didn't have a spare tire when I got it. I found one and just tried to put it in today and no worky with the tire on it.

 

on some of the older mazda's they have the same problem. on those we usually ended up replacing the whole assembly. they are big bucks for a really cheap made part. good luck

 

I bought one from a wrecker. It was about $40.

 

I got the same isssue, previous owner tied a knot inthe cable.

 

Okay, figured out the problem.....Very EASY and cheap fix.

The long rod that sticks out the back of the bed was just spinning and wasn't turning the hoist mechanism at all.

There is a roll pin that is supposed to be there and it had rusted away. The long rod slides over the hoist and then you have to put a roll pin in it so it will turn the hoist when spun......without the roll pin it will turn, but wont turn the hoist

I put a new roll pin in and it fixed it. I had to clean out the dirt and rust in the roll pin hole with a wire.

 

If it messes up again,dealer stocks them. About $75 retail.

 

No need to buy a new one. A 10 cent roll pin will fix it for good.

 

I was towing a 40 foot race trailer at 2AM with my dads truck, when that cable broke i thought the world was comming to a end,sparks and the sound was crazy. NEVER AGAIN