# Spare Tire **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [May 19, 2008, 11:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/spare-tire/14221 "2008-05-19T23:42:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Ranger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/258eb7/32.png) [@Ranger](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Ranger)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2008, 11:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/spare-tire/14221/1 "2008-05-19T23:42:37Z")
Does anyone have any ideas as to what I should do to get the spare tire out of my '99 Ford Ranger. Basically, the truck comes with a long key to unlock a lock between the tailgate and the bumper. Then you can lower down the spaer. I snapped that key off, without popping the lock out. Any ideas? ---
**Author:** ![jsutter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8e8cbc/32.png) [@jsutter](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jsutter)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2008, 12:18am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/spare-tire/14221/2 "2008-05-20T00:18:04Z")
Is it actually a key, or do you just use one of the pieces used to crank up the jack? Mine is just a long, slightly hocked piece of steel. The hooked end doesn’t operate a lock, it just helps keep it in place. I usually don’t use it though. Instead I use the biggest standard screwdriver that Craftsman makes. Push the end into the slot, under the tailgate and turn. ---
**Author:** ![meaneyedcatz](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/meaneyedcatz/32/692_2.png) [@meaneyedcatz](https://community.cartalk.com/u/meaneyedcatz)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2008, 12:24am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/spare-tire/14221/3 "2008-05-20T00:24:32Z")
The spare winch is rusted so spray it with PB Blast, then use a different tire tool or a big screwdriver to lower. ---
**Author:** ![Ranger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/258eb7/32.png) [@Ranger](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Ranger)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2008, 1:09am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/spare-tire/14221/4 "2008-05-20T01:09:43Z")
Big screwdriver, why didn’t I think of that. The lock is pointless anyway.