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.

[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,

[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