Interior Spare tire assistance

[77 Jimmy Blue]

I’m new to the forum due to a purchase of a 77 GMC Jimmy.

No question is stupid I hope. I can’t get the spare tire off the mount. There is a round piece (not really a nut/bolt) holding the tire to the interior tire mount. The longer piece is loose and just goes around the round piece in circles (does not grab). What am I doing wrong or is there a tool for it? See pic. Thanks!

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[1987 GMC Jimmy]

I don't use a tool. I just turn the piece pictured here, and when it gets really wobbly, I hold the back piece that you mentioned that's on the other side of the bracket.

 

[77 Jimmy Blue]

Thanks for the reply. Attempted a few times this weekend and still can't get it off. Will keep trying.

 

[1987 GMC Jimmy]

Let me play with mine today and see if I can come up with a better procedure.

 

[1987 GMC Jimmy]

Okay, so if yours is like mine, what I would do in the event of it being stuck is spray the threads with a penetrant (PB Blaster, WD40, Liquid Wrench, etc.), clamp a good set of vice grips on the head of that bolt where that slot can hold it in place, and see if you can turn the handle then. If you're having a hard time getting behind the tire, I'd suggest unbolting the carrier from the floor for better clearance.

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[Honky Kong jr]

If you can get back ther put a couple tack welds on it?

 

[1987 GMC Jimmy]

That would do it no questions asked.

 

[dan3103]

If you weld the bolt in place, you will lose any adjustment in the holder. If you change spare tires to a tire that is a different height, it may be a problem getting the new wheel to match up to the old location.

Instead of welding the bolt in place, consider adding a washer and nut to hold it on the opposite side. That way, you can retain your ability to adjust in the future.

Here's what mine looks like.

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[bucket]

I haven't looked at mine in years, so this is just a guess... But shouldn't that be a carriage bolt that's not supposed to rotate in that slot?

 

[Honky Kong jr]

If you weld the bolt in place, you will lose any adjustment in the holder. If you change spare tires to a tire that is a different height, it may be a problem getting the new wheel to match up to the old location.

Instead of welding the bolt in place, consider adding a washer and nut to hold it on the opposite side. That way, you can retain your ability to adjust in the future.

Here's what mine looks like.

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That's why I said small tack to get it apart. The do what ever.

 

[dan3103]

I haven't looked at mine in years, so this is just a guess... But shouldn't that be a carriage bolt that's not supposed to rotate in that slot?

You are correct, it is a carriage bolt. It's likely that the threads on the bolt that the original poster is talking about are gummed up or damaged and when he tried to remove the holding nut, it turned the bolt, either rounding out the slot or rounding the bolt.

Tack welding would definitely work. I would use a pair of vice grips on the back side of the bolt to keep it from turning and clean off the threads and spray it down with PB Blaster or Liquid Wrench.

 

[77 Jimmy Blue]

Thanks all. I'm away for vacation for 2 weeks and will attempt again when I get home. Strange one, but will try the small tack weld.