Spare tyre ratchet has gone faulty

[MobyDisco]

I took out the spare tyre today to have a puncture repaired.

After I removed the spare, I wound the cable back up to the top, like the manual says you should.

But now I can't lower the cable again to re-attach the spare.

The cable drops a couple of inches, and then stops. The winch keeps winding for a half dozen more turns, but then gets tight and the ratchet kicks in. When I try to wind it up, it won't go all the way to the top, either.

I'm guessing (?) the cable might be tangled inside the winch somehow.

Does anyone know how to fix this problem? Should I unscrew the weatherproof metal protector over the top of the winch? Or is that going to break the seal and lead to rust down the track?

Ideas much appreciated.

[rmp]

Pull on the cable as you unwind it and wind it in, hopefully that'll unsnarl it.

Failing that get the tools out and take it apart.

[MobyDisco]

Pull on the cable as you unwind it and wind it in, hopefully that'll unsnarl it.

I forgot to mention that I had tried that.

So, you're saying I can take it apart without risking damaging any weatherproof seals or anything?

[rmp]

Sorry, I don't know, never taken one apart, but a bit of investigation never goes amiss.

[sniegy]

4 Bolts & the unit comes off, the unit iself is pop rivetted together, So to "investigate" you may need to drill out the rivets & then bolt it back together.
If the vehicle is in warranty go back to the friendly dealer & have it replaced.:angel:

[rmp]

Hmmm, rivets....maybe there's a reason for that....could be as soon as they're drilled out the thing explodes in a zillion sprung-loaded pieces. OTOH if it's stuffed what's to lose...

[stig0000]

having the winch fail is so commen its not funny, we have so meny spear tyre places come in with the same problem, and its a new winch,, to wind it up you have to hav pressor on it so it seats proply in the winch, just like the winch you have on the front of your car, you wouldent wind it in without some one holding it to keep it tight;), the same gose for the spear wheel one,

its very easy to take off , but if its in warrenty hopfully they will replace it, cos it hasent realy failed due to parts, its the user that has failed it,,

so hopes they do replace it,:D

[MobyDisco]

to wind it up you have to hav pressor on it so it seats proply in the winch, ... it hasent realy failed due to parts, its the user that has failed it,,

Your comment makes a lot of sense.

But then again, I did exactly follow the instructions in the manual, which didn't say anything about keeping the cable under strain while winding it up.

So I trust LR will replace it under warranty.

[rmp]

Yes, it *may* have failed because of user error, but if the the need for tension is not explained in the manual or on the system how could the user be expected to know? Then it becomes a design fault.

Another reason for a spare wheel carrier IMHO.

[stig0000]

Your comment makes a lot of sense.

But then again, I did exactly follow the instructions in the manual, which didn't say anything about keeping the cable under strain while winding it up.

So I trust LR will replace it under warranty.


i havent read the book,, but if it doesn't say, then that its fully understandable,

then yes its warranty

[rmp]

The owner's manual is available online, see the FAQ at the top of this page for a link.

[stig0000]

The owner's manual is available online, see the FAQ at the top of this page for a link.

we own a d3 and still havent read it:wasntme:

[rmp]

Well, with modern cars, I highly, highly recommend everyone reads the manual. It is not possible to work everything out by osmosis or guesswork and you could be doing something wrong or missing out on a nice feature.

For example, everyone who has jacked up on the compressor....had they consulted the manual it would have been clear where to jack and how.

[Scouse]

Hmmm, rivets....maybe there's a reason for that....could be as soon as they're drilled out the thing explodes in a zillion sprung-loaded pieces. OTOH if it's stuffed what's to lose...After claiming a few under warranty for this same problem, I pulled one apart to see what goes on inside.

The problem is that the cable sits in a spiral groove rather than just winding around a plain drum. If there's no weight on the cable, it doesn't take much to make it jump out of this groove & then jam up inside.

The other problem is that there is no 'stop' when the cable is wound all the way out. Therefore, once it extends all the way out, it starts winding back in again but in the opposite way to it's design. The result again is a jammed cable.


Nothing is spring loaded & once apart it's easy to fix.

[rmp]

Thanks Scouse, so it seems drilling the rivets out, replacing them with bolts and fixing the internals would be a reasonable fix then.

I think I'll add this to the FAQ.

[Scouse]

Thanks Scouse, so it seems drilling the rivets out, replacing them with bolts and fixing the internals would be a reasonable fix then.

I assume bolts would be OK but I haven't refitted one like this so I don't know if there would be clearance issues.

[rmp]

I assume bolts would be OK but I haven't refitted one like this so I don't know if there would be clearance issues.

Guessing here... that'd only be what 2-3mm extra compared to a rivet, and it's not a load-bearing bolt (that attaches to the car) so the bolt could be quite small?

Problem is of course no warranty chance if you turn up with one in pieces saying it's broken so if you take it apart you must repair it ;-)

Anyway added into the FAQ credit Scouse.

[Scouse]

I didn't keep the winch that I stripped down so I might pull another one apart, take some photos of the internals & reassemble it with bolts.

Then, next time there's one in the workshop for a replacement winch, I'll get one of the techs to trial fit the repaired one.

[rmp]

That's be pretty cool if you did. If someone read your words in the FAQ and avoided the problem out in the middle of the outback, or felt confident drilling the rivets out that'd be excellent and could get them going again.

Anyone who has a LR tank fitted should have a spare winch and can try it. I didn't keep mine ;-(

[Bushwanderer]

Thanks Scouse, so it seems drilling the rivets out, replacing them with bolts and fixing the internals would be a reasonable fix then.

I think I'll add this to the FAQ.

Hi rmp,
Don't forget to add that if the cable is kinked, it should be replaced.

Best Wishes,
Peter

[rmp]

Hi rmp,
Don't forget to add that if the cable is kinked, it should be replaced.

Best Wishes,
Peter

Good point, done

[Bushwanderer]

Good point, done

:BigThumb:

[Sprint]

its got me buggered why companies persist on using cable type spare wheel carriers..... theyre as evil as the cradle type....

most idiot proof design ive ever encountered is the one on trayback landcruiser utes.....

[stevecor]

Mobydisco,
I'm putting a rear wheel carrier on my TDV6 in a couple of weeks and will have no further need of my spare wheel ratchet.
If you have no luck under warranty you can have mine.

Edit
PM sent.

[MobyDisco]

Mobydisco,
If you have no luck under warranty you can have mine.

Thanks Steve, that's very kind.

Austral fixed my winch today under warranty, so I wont need to take you up on it - thanks anyway!

Cheers.