Spare Tire Removal

Hi, I have a stock 2012 SR5 of which I am the original owner. It’s been a great car (125k miles) …absolutely no issues…just tires, brakes, fluid changes, windshield and a battery. Last week I had a flat tire. Went to change flat with the spare and the damn underneath spare would not lower. The chain mechanism was apparently rusted/broken. I’ll confess spare has never been lowered in 125k miles. Now, I’ve got to tow car to a shop to cut the tire holding bracket or whatever and remove/replace the rusted mechanism. My suggestion for all “stock” drivers….maybe on a nice day take the time to lower your spare and lube the chain mechanism and check spares’ air pressure. …just a precaution.

 

Routine maintenance is a must. Even things you never use. My dealership checks the spare when I rotate the tires.

 

That sucks to hear, feel for ya.
I just lowered my spare first time since buying new in '16, 89,000kms. Luckily no probz. But ima lube it now.
Did you try "everything" before getting a tow and writing it off as needing to be chopped?

 

My truck’s new, but will be lubing the chain/fluid film and getting one of those discs that snug up against wheel to keep most debris out. But I’ll probably be doing a five tire rotation. No one does that anymore, but I think, along with the above, it ensures you have a serviceable spare, and you can get to it.

Sorry for your bad luck though

 

Add this to the list of things I haven't thought about protecting, but Toyota world has. My kids have a father who will teach them these things lol

 

Great idea.

That’s a big can of worms you’re opening. I think you’ll find the spare wheel is steel and doesn’t match the others. The spare also doesn’t have a TPMS sensor in it. FWIW the owners manual specifies a five-tire rotation for 4Runners with 20 inch wheels.

 

Luckily the 5 tire shuffle has enabled me to keep an eye on this mechanism. Have the 20" wheels ans wanted to maximize the spare for once.

 

soak that mother down with some HD pentrating spray and pray!

 

Just went through this myself! Just as I was beginning to wonder how much force the Toyota provided rod could bear, the rust gave. This is after a PB blasting. So thankful, this was in my driveway. I got a dang utility knife blade in one of my brand new wildpeaks.

 

Frustrating as hell!!

 

This is a good reminder OP!

I lower my spare and check the tire condition and pressure with the 5k tire rotation.

 

“My kids have a father who will teach them these things lol”

“When I was a young man my father didn’t know anything but as I get older I realized boy has he learned a lot. “

 

I have chain on my spare sprayed during my yearly FF undercoating.