Ram Has a Spare Tire Issue

June 28, 2022

2014-2015 Ram Pro Master vehicles are equipped with a spare tire winch. The customer may complain about a squeak noise at the rear, and/or being unable to lower or raise the spare tire/wheel.

2014-2015 Ram Pro Master vehicles are equipped with a spare tire winch. The customer may complain about a squeak noise at the rear, and/or being unable to lower or raise the spare tire/wheel.

Check for excess anti-chip coating that may cause the tire to stick.

The spare wheel/tire winch is located behind the right rear tire.

Use a pitman shaft puller to compress the winch spring.

  1. Start to lower the spare wheel/tire. Only loosen the winch 3-4 turns.
  2. If the spare does lower, proceed to Step 4. If it does not lower, proceed to Step 3.
  3. Reach under the vehicle, grab the tire and move it around to free it from the undercarriage.
  4. Lower the wheel/tire all the way and remove it from the winch.
  5. Raise the vehicle on a hoist and inspect the anti-chip coating. Check for excessive coating/sags that may have caused the tire to bind in the opening.
  6. Carefully trim off any excessive coating, making sure not to remove too much of the coating.
  7. Lubricate the shaft on the winch spring seat to help reduce rattle/squeaks.
  8. Use a pitman shaft puller to help compress the spring.
  9. Hand tighten the puller to gain access to the lower part of the bushing.
  10. Pull up on the bushing to expose the lower part of the bushing.
  11. Spread lube around the lower part of the bushing (Chrysler recommends Nye Synthetic Lubricant 05019061AA.
  12. Loosen and remove the pitman shaft puller.
  13. If needed, reposition the cables closer to the body by pushing the cables up until they are about 2 inches from the floor.
  14. Lower the vehicle and put the spare wheel/tire back on the winch.
  15. The cable must be located between the floor pan and tire.
  16. Raise the spare wheel/tire with the winch. When the wheel/tire has been lifted completely, a yellow mark will appear in the winch window.

Expose the lower part of the bushing.
Apply lube to the lower part of the bushing.
The correct winch cable location is about 2 inches from the floor pan.
About the Author

Information courtesy of Mitchell 1

Information for Technical Service Bulletins comes from ProDemand, Mitchell 1's auto repair information software for domestic and import vehicles. Headquartered in San Diego, Mitchell 1 has provided quality repair information solutions to the automotive industry since 1918.

About the Author

Mike Mavrigian | Motor Age Editor

Mike Mavrigian has written thousands of automotive technical magazine articles involving a variety of  specialties, from engine building to wheel alignment, and has authored more than a dozen books that crisscross the automotive spectrum. Mike operates Birchwood Automotive, an Ohio shop that builds custom engines and performs vintage vehicle restorations. The shop also features a professional photo studio to document projects and to create images for articles and books.

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