Spare Wheel Winch

[Danny Barratt]

It seems that many of you have had the same problems with the spare wheel winch mech.

Has anyone ever found an alternative as I have tried fixing the unit by drilling out the rivets and replacing the cable but the mechanism must be knacked as it still doesn't work.

Someone somewhere must have designed a better system which could replace this, even from a different vehicle (or other) that could be modified.

Any Thoughts will be greatly appreciated :)

Cheers

Danny

[NikpV]

IIRC there is a modified version which is cheaper than the original now available - a search should turn up the relevant posts

 

or indeed looking in the faq :D :) :D

 

new cheaper winch

 

memo to self - look in faq :D :D :)

Edited September 27, 2006 by NikpV

[Andrew T]

The modified version involves the replacement of the swinging metal T-piece which retains the wheel with a nylon peg and bar arrangement. The troublesome winch part of It is still the same as far as I know.

[NikpV]

Ah - I remember it was modified but not how, TBH provided you keep the wire under tension when winding up or down very few seem to get problems, even the RAC guy who changed a tyre for us in the lake district (on a nasty slope :lol: ) knew that he had to keep the tension

[Danny Barratt]

Many thanks for the quick replies.

Cheers :lol:

[tim-spam]

.......and only tighten it just enough to secure the wheel - there is a maximum torque specified on a decal near the nut. Overtightening is one of the most common causes of failure - mine has never been abused, and works perfectly.

 

The new Galaxy does not, and will not, have any problems with the spare wheel securing mechanism......guaranteed.

[anadin]

The new Galaxy does not, and will not, have any problems with the spare wheel securing mechanism......guaranteed.

 

:lol: :( ^_^ ^_^ :lol:

[adrianf.]

Mine was buggered also. :lol:

So a trip to B&Q, a length of threaded bar and four locking nuts and a couple of flat pieces of steel one for each end.

I removed the old winch and launched that over the hedge, only tricky bit is i had to use a trollry jack to lift the wheel up to the underside of car. Once in place pass the bar thro the hole in the floor then thro the wheel and on with the flat steel to act as a washer and then the locking nuts.

It works a treat and cost about

[tim-spam]

That'll probably be OK - if mine ever fails, I may be tempted to do something similar. BUT, what endurance testing have you done to ensure that it will not fail and let the spare wheel drop off? The one supplied with the car will have been properly tested to ensure that it is safe (I know there are some on here who have experienced problems, but has anyone actually had one fall off? I don't think so). If ever the worst comes to the worst, would your insurance policy cover you? I think we know the answer to that.

 

So, good(ish) idea, but it may cause problems in the future.

[adrianf.]

I understand where you are comming from but i honestly think this is stronger than the original.

You say the winch has been safety tested, im sure your right but its only as strong as the weakest point and i am sure that is the two tiny 13mm bolts that hold the winch to the car body.

I have four 21mm nuts fitted to the bar(cant remember the diameter of the bar) and two large flat pieces of steal, one on the floor of the car underneath the carpet and one inside the wheel under the centre hole.

Providing the winch works then yes that is more practicle but i have no worries what so ever about the safety of it. :lol:

[Guest gooner52]

bought mine new from ebay