Tire Rack Problem

[Adam in CO]

I have the SMA spare tire carrier that many new H2 owners have. The damn thing gets harder and harder to move every day. I think the "hinge" is rusting. I spray the bastard w/ some WD40 from time to time and it helps, but not enough. Please help...

CO H2 Club Rocks!
aps101374@yahoo.com

[Adam in CO]

I have the SMA spare tire carrier that many new H2 owners have. The damn thing gets harder and harder to move every day. I think the "hinge" is rusting. I spray the bastard w/ some WD40 from time to time and it helps, but not enough. Please help...

CO H2 Club Rocks!
aps101374@yahoo.com

[Joe]

Mine had a small grease fitting (plug) on the hinge. I think many folks pass over this and did not grease the hinge up on install (me included actually, but I'm going to get around to it). My guess is WD40 or the like will work for a short period of time but probably evaporates quicker then using a good external grease or lithium. Try that!

[Tiger Bait]

When I got my last oil change the tech told me he plugged lithium grease in that fitting and it moves like silk now.

[Phantasm]

Mine totally seized up - took 3 men and a mule to get it to move. Dealer said it wasn't all that unusual and replaced the entire rack for free (warrantee).

[Klaus]

Phantasm,

Didn't you read your owner's manual? You had the new anti-theft spare tire mount.

Glad the dealer took care of it for you.



Klaus

"God made some men big and some men small, but Sam Colt made them all equal."

[Adam in CO]

Thanks, Phil. I did have the service dpt. pump it full of grease last week for my 5000 mile workup and it's great now. They neglected to do it when it was new is all.

CO H2 Club Rocks!
aps101374@yahoo.com

[PARAGON]

I agree with PhilD, WD40 breaks down any grease that is in the carrier.

Also, the carrier will "droop" when it's low on grease and will also cause it to "hang" or be hard to turn. My was low and it was hitting the bottom of the support and filling it with grease made it align again.