by Jody L. Campbell
Whether you have a flat tire on your Chevy truck that needs to be replaced or you want to install an aftermarket tow hitch, you're going to have to remove the spare tire. Mounted under the bed, the spare tire on the Chevy pickup requires connecting extension components in order to access the ratcheting mechanism and then activate it. Knowing how to remove and install a spare tire on any vehicle is always a good idea before you need to in the event of an emergency. Replacing a tire is never fun, but if you have to learn how to remove the spare tire in the process, it's just going to take longer and make the task more frustrating.
Locate the spare tire and lug wrench tool kit (equipped with the Chevy truck) behind the passenger seat. On a bench seat, tilt the seat forward and move it all the way toward the front of the truck for access to the tool kit. On extra-cab Chevy trucks, you'll need to lift the rear seat upward into the raised position to access the tool kit.
Loosen the retaining bolt by turning the dial handle counterclockwise. Loosening it will allow you to slide the tool kit out from under the retaining bolt, and if necessary, remove the bolt.
Separate the pieces of the tool kit at the back of the Chevy pickup. Locate the spare tire access hole on the right side of the rear license plate. In some newer model Chevy trucks, you might need to use the ignition key to remove a locking device designed as a spare tire theft deterrent. If so, insert the key into the lock and turn the key to remove the lock. Use a flashlight to look into the access hole to learn which adapter the spare tire cable requires in order to assemble the spare tire tools correctly. You will note a square drive application, a small hook application or a security lock application. If the security lock is required, place the lock onto the end of the small hook of the assembled spare tire tool before inserting it into the access hole.
Assemble two of the spare tire tool extensions together, making sure the press-locks insert into the holes to interlock. The end of the tool must mate to the cable crank of the spare tire; this is revealed when using the flashlight.
Insert the two extensions into the access hole and turn them while pressing inward until they lock into the cable crank of the spare tire.
Retrieve the lug nut wrench. You will note a square drive in the center of the wrench. Place the square drive onto the extension tools in order to use it as an unwinding and winding device. Once locked into place, turn the lug wrench counterclockwise, lowering the spare tire from its mounted position. Continue to lower the tire to the ground until you can lift it and remove the cable flange from the hub of the spare.
To raise the spare tire, reverse the procedure and turn the spare tire tool in a clockwise motion to raise the cable.
Tips
It will not do you any good if it's a low or flat tire. Things You'll Need
Writer Bio
Jody L. Campbell spent over 15 years as both a manager and an under-car specialist in the automotive repair industry. Prior to that, he managed two different restaurants for over 15 years. Campbell began his professional writing career in 2004 with the publication of his first book.
If you're used to having your spare tire on your trunk, it can be quite a daunting task to remove the spare tire under a truck. But don't worry. We got you covered. We've asked automotive experts how this procedure is done so that you can get started on changing your flat tire and be back on the road in a jiffy.
Follow these steps to remove the spare tire from your truck:
Hang on so we can elaborate on the given instructions so you can remove your spare tire from your truck with no hassle. We'll also share with you how to do this task when you don't have your tire removal kit. We'll also have a short discussion on how long you can expect your spare tire to last and how far you can drive using your spare tire.
Before you continue reading, let us say we hope you find the links here useful. If you purchase something through a link on this page, we may get a commission, so thank you!
Unlike regular vehicles that conveniently have their spare tires in their trunks, pickup trucks have theirs underneath the truck bed. This is actually a genius move by manufacturers so that the spare tire won't take up valuable space on the bed of the truck.
However, it makes removing the spare tire more challenging.
Don't worry because there's an efficient way of removing the spare tire without breaking your back or endangering your life. Just follow these steps. You can also watch this YouTube video for the demonstration.
Easy, right? You don't have to go under your truck after all!
Brand new vehicles come with a set of factory jack kits or tire removal kits to aid you in getting the spare tire off the truck. You need to familiarize yourself with these tools, so you'll know what they are used for.
The tool that you use to lower the spare tire is called the jack handle. As mentioned above, this is a long piece of tool that you need to assemble so that you can connect it with the vehicle's tire-lowering mechanism. You turn the handle counterclockwise to unfasten the tire until it reaches the ground and you can remove it from the cable and tire holder.
If you don't have this in your tool kit, it's best to buy one as soon as possible.
You never know when you're going to need it. Always be prepared for what can happen on the road.
Check out this spare tire jack handle on Amazon.
In case you have a tire blowout and you don't have a jack handle with you, there are other ways for you to remove the spare under your truck. But it would still involve other tools that hopefully you've got in your tool kit.
What you need:
Steps to lower the tire:
What you need:
Steps to lower the tire:
These are just two ways for you to remove the spare tire without a jack handle.
Basically, you can improvise with the tools that you've got to see which one will work best for you.
The lifespan of your spare tire will depend on its tire type. There are usually three types of spare tires: a donut, run-flat, and a matching spare tire.
A donut is also known as a space-saver or compact spare tire. This is smaller and lighter than a regular tire. In recent years, manufacturers began using donut spare tires on their vehicles to reduce cost and save valuable space since a full-sized tire takes up so much room.
Since they are more lightweight, they help improve the fuel economy and power consumption of your vehicle. However, this type of tire is made of weaker materials than traditional tires. They have a shallower tread depth which makes them more vulnerable on the road.
As such, a donut spare tire is just meant to be a temporary replacement for your worn-out tire.
It has to be replaced immediately before you get yourself into trouble while using it.
A run-flat spare tire is more commonly found on newer vehicles. It is also called a zero-pressure tire. It is more durable than a donut tire. It is made of tougher materials that's why it can resist deflation even when it has been punctured.
But still, this is a temporary fix for your vehicle. You're better off having it replaced right away.
This is the most durable among the different spare tire types. It may not be made by the same manufacturer as your regular tires, but it is at par when it comes to performance on the road. As such, you can use it for a longer time after replacing your flat tire with this spare.
Again, the distance and speed at which you drive using a spare tire would depend on the type of tire that you have.
Donut tires are not designed to be driven for long distances.
You have to maintain a speed of 50 mph or less. This means that you cannot use this on the highway.
Since donut tires are smaller than your other tires, they have to work harder to keep up with the rest. This makes them more susceptible to damages on the road.
With a run-flat tire, you can go beyond 50 mph since it has better endurance on the road. You can drive up to 100 miles with it. This will give you more allowance to find an able auto repair shop.
Lastly, a matching spare tire can be driven similar to a regular tire. You can go at the maximum allowable speed on the road and there's no limit on the distance.
Take note though that spare tires have different speed ratings so it's best to check yours. Don't go beyond the recommended speed to avoid damaging other components of your vehicle such as the transmission. It's bad enough that you had a flat tire, you don't need the added expense of additional repairs or part replacement.
Make sure you always have your tire removal kit with you so you can take off your spare tire under your vehicle without any hassle.
With the right tools, this task doesn't have to be a chore.
Check out these articles for some related reading:
Does Firestone Patch Tires For Free?
20 Types Of Tires You Should Know
In this article we will try to help you solve all the problems that you may encounter with the wheels of your car. And, basically, how to remove a car rim? If you want to change your flat wheel or tires, you will find all the information you need on this page. To do this, we will first see how to remove the tire from the car rim, and then, in the second step, how to remove the stuck rim of the car , then how to remove the flat rim from place to put the spare tire, and finally, how to unlock the jammed rim nuts . nine0007
So we start our article by explaining how to change a car tire. You may have made a good deal by buying your tires online, but it's quite difficult to find mechanics who will agree to install tires bought elsewhere than at home on your car's rims.
Therefore, the question of the desire to install them yourself is more than legitimate.
It is technically possible with a lot of force and a crowbar to change the tires of your car yourself, however, even if you manage to remove both sidewalls of the tire, loosen it and put a new tire back on, you will not be able to balance the tire without a special machine, and without it your tires will wear out prematurely . Keep in mind that very often installation and balancing costs only about twenty euros. If you want to buy tires online at a discounted price, please note that many sellers offer free installation at a partner car center. nine0007
Now we move on to the part that you are certainly most interested in, namely, how to remove the car rim stuck to the hub, or rather, a rather classic case of a rim that has not been removed for a long time and which, due to rust stuck to your wheel hub. Indeed, many motorists find themselves in this situation and do not know what to do.
This can be especially frustrating if you have a flat tire and need to change the rim on your car. Here are the various solutions available to you:
Now we are going to explain to you the most classic procedure, but which no one knows about, how to remove the rim from its place if you have a punctured wheel and want to replace it with a spare tire? This procedure is simple, here are a few steps to follow:
Finally, it may happen that in order to remove the rim of your car, you have to deal with jammed nuts. In this case, you will have more or less the same solutions for the case of rim sticking to the wheel hub. The best solution would be to use Rust Protection Grease or Rust Protection Grease and let it run for several tens of minutes before loosening the nuts.
Another possibility, try to find, some are battery powered stun wrenches, they create much more torque than your hand plus a socket wrench and will help you loosen the nuts.
If you need more Chevrolet Silverado manuals, please go to our Chevrolet Silverado category.
4. REPLACING A WHEEL
If any wheel is deformed, cracked, severely rusted or corroded, the wheel must be replaced. If the wheel nuts are constantly loosening, the wheel must be replaced along with the wheel studs and nuts. Some alloy wheels can be repaired with minor damage, but other wheels require replacement if damaged.
Use only new genuine GM parts. To purchase these parts, contact your dealer. nine0007
WARNING
The use of unsuitable or poor-quality spare parts is dangerous. This can result in poor braking performance and handling of your vehicle. You could lose control of the vehicle, and you and others could be injured.
It is dangerous to install previously used wheels and tires on a vehicle. You may not know how long a given wheel or tire has been used or how many miles it has.
CAUTION
It is dangerous to be under a raised vehicle to perform maintenance or repairs without proper safety precautions and without sufficient qualifications. The jack supplied with your vehicle is intended solely for replacing a damaged tire and should only be used for that purpose. If you use the jack for any other purpose, the raised vehicle may slide off the jack, resulting in serious or even fatal injury. nine0076 To avoid further damage to the tire and wheel rim, drive slowly to a flat, level area to change the wheel. Turn on the hazard warning lights. Incorrect operation when changing a wheel can lead to injury. The vehicle could come off the jack and injure you or others.
To prevent the vehicle from rolling while changing a wheel, proceed as follows:
- Apply the parking brake fully.
- Move the automatic transmission selector to P (Park). nine0007
- If your vehicle has an all-wheel drive transmission, make sure the transfer case is in one of the gears for driving, not neutral. Otherwise, the vehicle may roll even if the automatic transmission selector is in the P (Park) position.
- Stop the engine.
- Do not start the engine while the vehicle is jacked up.
- Unleash all passengers before jacking up the vehicle.
- Place wheel chocks front and rear under the wheel farthest from the damaged wheel. The necessary equipment is located in the luggage compartment behind the left side upholstery panel.
Press the release lever to open the upholstery panel.
1. Loosen the wing nut to remove the tool kit.
2. Remove the bag.
3. Remove the jack handle.
4. Remove the jack handle extension.
5. Remove the wheel key. nine0007
6. Remove the jack.
To release the jack from its lock, turn the handle on the jack counterclockwise to lower the jack head.
7. Loosen the wing nut to expose the wheel chocks.
The spare wheel is located under the bottom of the vehicle.
WARNING
To avoid injury or damage to the vehicle, do not remove or stow the spare wheel while the vehicle is jacked up. When reinstalling a spare or damaged wheel in its underbody storage location, be sure to fully tighten the fastener. nine0078
You may need to remove the vehicle's rear registration plate to access the spare wheel lift shaft.
If your vehicle has a spare wheel lift lock, open the spare wheel lock cover located in the rear bumper and open the lock with the ignition key.
Connect the wheel wrench to the two jack handle extensions.
Insert the lift end of the extension (open end) into the hole in the bumper. Connect the extension to the hoist shaft. nine0007
Turn the wheel wrench counterclockwise to lower the spare wheel. Turn the wheel wrench until you can remove the spare wheel from under the vehicle.
Using the hook on the wheel wrench, pull the hoist cable towards you so that you can reach the spare wheel.
If the spare wheel does not lower to ground level, the secondary mounting must be released.
After the spare wheel is completely lowered, tilt the clamping bar attached to the end of the cable and remove it from the center hole of the wheel disk with the cable. Remove the wheel from under the car. nine0007
If the wheel has a smooth trim cap, carefully remove it using the flat end of the wheelbrace as a lever.
If the wheels have decorative caps that are bolted on, remove the cap by fully loosening the wheel nut caps with a wheel wrench. The caps won't come off completely. Then carefully press the edge of the decorative cap until it separates from the wheel.
Loosen the wheel nuts with the wheel wrench. However, do not unscrew the nuts all the way. nine0007
If necessary, connect the jack handle extensions to the jack handle.
Position the jack under the jack provided closest to the damaged wheel.
CAUTION
Raising the vehicle with an incorrectly or insecurely installed jack can damage the vehicle, and even cause the vehicle to fall off the jack. To prevent injury to persons and damage to the vehicle, make sure the jack head is in place before lifting the vehicle. nine0078
If one of the rear wheels is damaged, you will need to attach both jack handle extensions. Attach the jack handle to the jack. If the front wheel is damaged, place a jack behind that wheel where the two sections of the frame side member overlap.
If the rear wheel is damaged, the jack should be installed behind this wheel, under a special jacking platform located on the rear axle housing. Put the wheel wrench on the jack handle or on the extension and, turning it clockwise, raise the jack head until it rests on the platform. nine0007
Raise the jack until its head rests on its socket. Then jack up the vehicle to a height that allows the spare tire to be fitted.
WARNING
It is dangerous to be under the vehicle when it is jacked up. If the vehicle slips off the jack, serious injury or even death could result. It is forbidden to stay under the car when it is supported only by a jack.
Loosen the wheel nuts and remove the damaged wheel. Remove dirt and rust from the wheel bolts and hub surfaces, as well as from the surface of the spare wheel adjacent to the hub. nine0007
WARNING
Dirt or rust on the wheel or on the parts to which it is attached can cause the wheel nuts to loosen. The wheel may come off and cause an accident. When replacing a wheel, it is necessary to remove dirt and rust from all surfaces to which it is attached. In an emergency, you can use a piece of cloth or paper towel to do this. Then, at the first opportunity, you need to finish the operation using a scraper or a wire brush to remove all dirt and rust. nine0078
WARNING
Do not lubricate the wheel studs or nuts with oil or grease.
Otherwise, the nuts may come loose. The wheel may come off while driving, resulting in a serious accident. Using the wrong wheel nuts for your vehicle, or incorrectly tightening them, can cause the wheel to loosen and even lose the wheel while driving. This could lead to an accident. Make sure you are using the correct wheel nuts for your vehicle. If wheel nuts need to be replaced, make sure you are using the correct type of wheel nuts. nine0078
Slide the spare wheel onto the centering collar and studs.
Screw on the wheel nuts with their ribs facing towards the wheel and tighten them by hand until the wheel is pressed against the hub. Turn the wheel wrench counterclockwise to lower the vehicle.
Fully lower the jack. Tighten the nuts to the stop with a wheel wrench in the sequence shown in the figure.
WARNING
Using the wrong wheel nuts for your vehicle, or incorrectly tightening them, can cause the wheel to loosen and even lose the wheel while driving.
This could lead to an accident. Make sure you are using the correct wheel nuts for your vehicle. If wheel nuts need to be replaced, make sure you are using the correct type of wheel nuts. At the first opportunity, stop and tighten the nuts with a torque wrench to the required torque. nine0076 Incorrectly tightened wheel nuts can cause braking pulsation and damage to the brake disc. To avoid costly brake repairs, tighten the wheel nuts evenly, in the correct sequence, and to the correct torque.
When refitting a full size wheel, the center cap (if provided) must also be reinstalled. Place the wheel cover on the wheel and gently push or tap it until it sits in place. The hood can only be installed in one position. Make sure that the lug of the cap matches the shoulder on the wheel. nine0007
When installing a wheel nut trim on a full size wheel, first tighten the plastic nut caps by hand and then with a wheel wrench.
Remove the damaged wheel and tool kit and put them back in the reverse order.
Make sure the tire air valve is facing away from the vehicle.
With the removed wheel lifted and pressed against the bottom of the vehicle, continue to turn the wheel wrench until you hear two clicks, or until you feel the wrench turn twice. The mechanism of the underframe spare wheel holder is designed in such a way that the cable cannot be overstretched. nine0007
To be more secure, tug on the wheel to make sure it is properly secured.
WARNING
Storing and transporting an improperly secured jack, spare wheel, or other equipment in the vehicle can result in personal injury. In case of emergency braking, sudden maneuvers or an accident, the tools can injure passengers. Therefore, store such items in places specially designed for them.
Storing an alloy wheel with a damaged tire under the bottom of a vehicle for a long time can cause the wheel to lose its marketability. To prevent this from happening, always install the wheel with the air vent facing down.
In addition, try to repair the tire and install the wheel on the car as soon as possible. nine0078
For the secondary mounting to work properly, the spare wheel must be stowed with the vent down. To release the secondary fastener, proceed as follows:
WARNING
Read all of the following instructions carefully before starting work. Failure to follow these instructions may result in breakage of the subframe holder and injury to yourself or others.
1. Look under the vehicle to see if the cable is visible. nine0007
2. If the cable is not visible, go to step 4. If the cable is visible, tension the cable by turning the wheel key clockwise until it clicks or turns twice. The cable tension mechanism is designed in such a way that it cannot be overstretched. Loosen the cable by turning the wheel wrench three or four turns counterclockwise. Tighten and loosen the cable at least two times.
After the spare wheel is completely lowered, tilt the clamping bar attached to the end of the cable and remove it from the center hole of the wheel disc along with the cable.
Remove the wheel from under the car. If the wheel does not drop to the ground, continue this procedure. nine0007
3. Turn the wheel wrench counterclockwise until the cable is released by about 15 cm.
4. Install the wheel chocks on their smaller side so that they are facing each other with their main bearing surfaces.
5. Position the jack on the wheel chocks, spreading them apart so that the jack base is firmly seated on the wedges.
6. Attach the handle, extension and wheel wrench to the jack. Place a jack (with wheel chocks) under the bottom of the vehicle in front of the rear bumper. Center the jack so that its head is under the center of the spare wheel. nine0007
7. Turn the wheel wrench clockwise to raise the head of the jack until it touches the locking collar at the end of the spare wheel cable.
8. Continue to raise the jack until the spare wheel stops raising and rests on the bottom of the vehicle. The secondary mount should unlock. The spare wheel should now rest on the jack head.
9. Lower the jack by turning the wheel wrench counterclockwise. Continue lowering the jack until the spare wheel slips off the jack or hangs from the cable. nine0007
WARNING
If the spare wheel is not completely off the jack, make sure no one is standing behind you, to your right or left, before you remove the jack from under the spare wheel. If anyone stands too close during this procedure, they may be injured by the jack if they fall.
10. Disconnect the handle from the jack and carefully remove the jack. With one hand, rest against the spare wheel, and with the other hand, forcefully pull the jack from under the spare wheel. nine0007
11. If the spare wheel is hanging on a cable:
- Insert the jack handle with extension and wheel wrench into the end of the lift shaft through the hole in the bumper.
- Turn the wheel wrench counterclockwise to lower the spare wheel. Turn the wheel wrench until you can remove the spare wheel from under the vehicle.
