Spare wheel winder failed today

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Originally Posted by HarryO

Sorry - I don’t buy that it’s OK if you use it properly.

I would have expected a more robust design than this for a 4x4. When you’re on your own try checking the loads sitting correct while your winding it up from inside the cabin. It might work but it’s crappy design all round IMO.

I built my own chain unit for the old D3 and it never failed me - now I have the D4 I might just have to make another. Link to the chain post ..

My D3 has lost its virginity - spare wheel winch

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Correct,i have had a D4,and LC.
The Tojo winch, and access to the winch is light years ahead in function and design than the D4.
As is the LC jack supplied with the vehicle.The D4 jack is more suitable for something like a Corolla,i cant believe they get away with it,its just not 'fit for purpose',particularly for an off road vehicle.

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Originally Posted by loanrangie

Absolutely nothing wrong with the winch if it's used correctly.

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Fully agree. Lost count how many times I've dropped and lifted the spare for tyre rotation of putting HT or AT's on. Still use factory winch after 12 years. It's counterclockwise to undo and clockwise to lift the spare back up, not rocket science really, and don't overwind. Never had an issue, and I use the factory wheel nut brace as I haven't done the mod to put an extension bit up between the 3rd row seats.

What annoys me with the system is not the winch itself (as said no forcing and it works fine) but having the outside of the wheel facing up so not easy to check pressures in the spare without dropping - been thinking about making an extension so I can check air when the tyre is in place. Also if the spare was the other way around, some small items that are rarely used could be stored there.

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Originally Posted by 101RRS

What annoys me with the system is not the winch itself (as said no forcing and it works fine) but having the outside of the wheel facing up so not easy to check pressures in the spare without dropping - been thinking about making an extension so I can check air when the tyre is in place. Also if the spare was the other way around, some small items that are rarely used could be stored there.

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If you turned the wheel over I cannot see any problem with the winch not being long enough. It has to dangle on the ground to get it to slip through the centre hole, so I cannot see why you could not. Only issue is if you did is that all the stones etc would/could damage the painted side of the rim.

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Originally Posted by dirvine

If you turned the wheel over I cannot see any problem with the winch not being long enough. It has to dangle on the ground to get it to slip through the centre hole, so I cannot see why you could not. Only issue is if you did is that all the stones etc would/could damage the painted side of the rim.

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Probably not so much an issue on an RRS, you may have to lift the wheel a higher to get the holder through.

Right so I can get

- a second hand winder (tested) from the wrecker for $150,
- a new Bearmach one delivered for just over $200,
- an Ebay one from god knows where for around $100, or
- an OEM one for between $275 and $350...

Which would you go with? Two ebay cheapies so there's always a spare?

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Originally Posted by Stuart02

Right so I can get

- a second hand winder (tested) from the wrecker for $150,
- a new Bearmach one delivered for just over $200,
- an Ebay one from god knows where for around $100, or
- an OEM one for between $275 and $350...

Which would you go with? Two ebay cheapies so there's always a spare?

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Bearmach unit. For 50 bucks more than a used one you've got a new one, not sure what "tested" from the wreckers entails.

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Originally Posted by Stuart02

Right so I can get

- a second hand winder (tested) from the wrecker for $150,
- a new Bearmach one delivered for just over $200,
- an Ebay one from god knows where for around $100, or
- an OEM one for between $275 and $350...

Which would you go with? Two ebay cheapies so there's always a spare?

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Have wheel winder from D4 which you are welcome to, just pay postage

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Originally Posted by brucester

Have wheel winder from D4 which you are welcome to, just pay postage

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Wow, the universe provides. Thank you!!

My spare tyre winch jammed today. I got a puncture in offside rear tyre and dropped the spare. swapped wheels cranked up the flat tyre - no problems. Went to a tyre fixer who couldn't do it immediately so I cranked up the loose cable and went for a drive. Drove back to pick up the repaired tyre/wheel and found that the winch would not lower the cable. Tried to overcome this little issue for several hours. Finally logged into this forum and followed the advice to drill out the rivets and with the aid of a large hammer, fixed the jammed cable. it now works like new (almost).