Seized wind down spare wheel carrier

[Simon says...]

Hi, we have a 2014 Bessacarr on a Fiat Ducato base which has a wind up/down mechanism to carry the spare wheel under the middle of the van.
I thought I would drop the wheel down and check it still has air in it and that everything was working as it has been a few years…
The wheel should lower on a steel wire but it appears to be seized…I’ve tried turning it back and forwards to try to free it with no joy…
Has anyone experienced this or know if it is possible to get in to the mechanism to lubricate the moving parts?
Thank you!

 

[oldiesontour]

I had same on an Iveco (at the side of the road when I had a puncture) it had been lowered about a year before... fortunately I had a cordless angle grinder with me as nothing would move it,even once off the van could 'nt move it in the workshop,threw it away and sold van a few months later with spare in back !

 

[MisterB]

If you can get it into a garage with a pit, they might be able to sort it. Some people have it loosened off then tightened back up at every MoT test ...

 

[cyberyacht]

Always a good idea to check it annually. You could try a lubricating spray around every crevice, leaving it to soak in for day and then try again.

 

[Simon says...]

Thanks…I’ll try spraying everything tomorrow and leave to soak…will make a point of an annual check…if I get it working!
Would be reluctant to cut it off…not many other places to store a spare wheel…

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[chatteris]

The one on my work van did the same when I had a puncture so had to call breakdown service who cut it off with angle grinder