Spare tire fell from mount

I was driving along (in a non-Toyota at the time) and a nice lady pulled up next to me pointing behind me and said "Excuse me, your spare tire fell off at the light back there"

 

There was a recall for the Tacoma to do a undercoating. They did a terrible job, the stuff either falls off or stays wet, so any work you do under there gets you very dirty.

My friend had an 06, I think, and the frame rotted bad, he had 250k on it and Toyota gave him an incredible trade in for a new one, which he accepted, wish that could happen to me. I don't see to many 03, or smaller Tacoma's around here in Ma anymore.

 

don't use mine ill sell it to ya for the cheap cheap like a bird.....that is if its not to hard to remove

 

I would just replace the whole assembly. I know on CL they show up pretty regular for Chevy and Ford trucks. Be thankful know one was hurt a few months ago in my area a lad was killed when a tire came out of the back of a Chevy pu and went thru here window!!

I have seen these fail a couple times of the years, on the ones I have seen the cable snaps.

 

There is a spare mount and whatnot for sale here

 

Looks like it had the same fate haha, I wouldn't trust that setup, IMO!

 

Himmie, for the spare tire carrier?

 

I'm not certain what your question means.

Toyota had a recall for the 1st and 2nd generation Sienna for the spare tire cable. In salt-using states. There were issues with rust and tires falling from the vehicle. It just involved them replacing the assembly, I believe.

 

Yes, that is what I meant, thanks. I sent a note off to Toyota and hope to hear something back. I'll keep you posted.

 

I have one of those OEM spare tire cranks from my Land Cruiser that I'm not using if you want it. I don't know if the bolt pattern is exactly the same but it should work. It has a chain instead of the cable. It's the entire assembly.

 

Thanks for the offer Box Rocket. I'm going to see what Toyota has to say before I do anything.

-Ug

 

I tried to get the spare tire carrier off today, fa-getta-bout-it. So tried my idea. Check the picks. Is the mounted right, short side up?

Also tried to find the gas leak/engine light code again...nothing.

 

Not bad, at the very least I'd use some red loctite and maybe some slightly longer bolts.

 

Do I have the tire facing the right way? I've never had it down in 120,000 miles, until it fell down. I went by the scuff marks when it first hit the ground.

 

I don't think it matters which way you put it up there. If it doesn't rattle around you're good.

 

Took your advice 45acp. Longer bolts, Lock washers, loctite and I filled the notches with some liquid metal.

 

Update. Dropped it off at Boch Toyota, mainly for the engine code/gas smell, leak. They are going to cover the carrier, but they can't find the gas leak. They want $2,400 to drop the tank and replace. Good thing I don't have the money...lol.

 

What code are you reading for the 'gas leak' ?

 

PO456, tried a new OEM Gas Cap. Can't find anything wet or broken, there Dealership put smoke in the system and found nothing.

My guess is rust around the gaskets for the fuel pump and all that other emissions stuff.

 

The local dealer ended up covering the carrier, although it is a slightly different looking unit. I also dropped the truck off in the early am, and after work they hadn't touched the truck, so I waited around for 2 1/2 hours.

I was thumbs down on the gas tank replacement. Going to try to find a new one.