Spare Tire help needed

[OzarkMtnDaredevil]

2000 GMC Jimmy with the spare under the chassis. Actuator box in the bumper near the center. It seems that the gears are stripped in the box as nothing happens in either direction. I've used a can of WD and another half can of Break Free to no avail. Chiltons and Haynes manuals are of no help. I'd like to repair it myself and could if I could just get the cable loose. Any ideas?

[Florida_boy]

I guess it's time to cut or grind it off?

[cubcadet]

Too bad. Your truck is not too old. There may be a way to find out how to get it down. Have you gone to any mechanics or salvage yards about this? There is a radio show on NPR radio that`s all about cars. You can call in to ask questions. It`s on Saturday about 10 am.

[rAcErRicK]

Hey Ozark, Cub just mighta' hit on the solution there, I'll betcha if you've got a junkyard anywhere nearby, there will be someone there that has been into one of those spare tire winches. They're good when they work, but not worth a hoot when they don't. Ya may just have to shoot it off. :D
Is it loose enough you could get a bolt cutter to the cable ?

[OzarkMtnDaredevil]

Yep. Cub confirmed my nightmare. Wheather I cut and replace the cable or drop the bumper to remove the box, it'll cost me about the same in Time or Dollars. Thx for the input.

[cubcadet]

I`m glad you posted this. I think I`m gonna take and run my spare up and down a few times, and maybe lube the moving parts. A mechanic told me years ago that if you want your emergency brakes to always be there if you need them, then, use them all the time. I guess that cable- operated stuff will eventually sieze up if not regularly used.