Spare wheel removal.

[jaylee]

Hi,

How the hell do i get at the bolt that drops the spare wheel down??
My plan is to replace the space saver with a full size..

Cheers!

[last_tuesday]

If you open the tailgate, you'll see a keyhole shaped slot exposed, just above the rear bumper.

Open the side sliding door and then the little tool hatch in the step. Rake about in the tool hatch and , among other things, you'll find a rachet handle with a square drive hole, and a long bar with a pin across one end.

Stick the bar through the hole you found at the back of the vehicle, and use the rachet to turn it. One way lowers the spare wheel & the other lifts it back up again.

[brorabongo]

Beat me to it Last_tuesday

One thing I would add, with mine anyway......It's easy to unwind too much, meaning that it will not wind back up. By holding the wheel off the ground, (taking the weight of the spare) and winding up the loose wire solves that problem. Hope that makes some sence?

[jaylee]

Genius!

I knew the Mazda people wouldn't be so cruel as to expect me to lift the main carpet & dismantle the rear floor panel...
But based on the Krypton Factor style involved with checking the oil, you never know!

Thanks fer that.