306 Spare Wheel

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Sun 2 Mar 2003 19:24
306 Spare Wheel - Oilburner
The spare wheel "holder" under the car cannot be released as the screw and nut mechanism is rusted solid. The car is 8 years old and looks like it has never been used. I've tried oil and WD40 but to no avail. Anybody got any ideas?
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Sun 2 Mar 2003 19:37
306 Spare Wheel - PhilW
Visit to scrappy for a "new" assembly - probably common to 405s, 205s, BX, Xantia (though if the last two have "gone to sleep" you'll need a jack!) then hacksaw the old one off? Mind you, isn't the bit the bolt screws into "open" ie it has a split down the inside which you can lever open slightly to get more WD40 into and then release?
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Sun 2 Mar 2003 22:07
306 Spare Wheel - Andrew-T
With some effort it should be possible to force the wheel-cradle off the hook against the pressure from the tyre (deflate it if it helps, though if the wheel has never been moved it may be flat already), remove the wheel and get better access. I am sure that given time WD40 should release the bolt.
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Mon 3 Mar 2003 00:06
306 Spare Wheel - Dynamic Dave
Further to the advice already mentioned, have you tried tightening the bolt first to see if you can crack the rust build up? A little bit of heat might also help - if it's not too near the tyre, fuel tank, or fuel lines.
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Mon 3 Mar 2003 08:01
306 Spare Wheel - M.M
These can be a pig. The problem you will find is that, because the hook only lodges over the cradle, excess force will just cause it to wrench away and spin. Then even mole grips can't get a good enough hold to break the seizure on the bolt.

Despite days of WD40 soaking I've had to cut a couple off over the past few years.

Thats why at every service I drop the spare wheel and lubricate the thread.

MM
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