Spare tire

[richard5933]

Any secrets to getting the spare tire out of a GM 4108 without killing my back?

The tire, jack, and run-up ramp are all tucked away neatly in the front behind the bumper. The tire is supposed to have a hose between the valve stem and the Schrader valve in the compartment under the driver so that pressure can be checked. I'm guess that the PO never attached the hose.

The tire looks brand new and appears to have at least some air in it. I want to get it out enough to check the air pressure, but can't get it to move more than an inch or so on my own.

There has to be a safe way to do this. Anyone want to reveal the trick?

[Ed Hackenbruch]

  Get a piece of rebar and make a 90 degree bend on each end.....one to hold onto, the other to hook into the center of the rim. Use it to drag the tire out. Make sure that you make it long enough.....

[chessie4905]

GM had a contraption to assist getting tire out. I don't have it.😥 I needed to remove mine to have access to ceiling of tire compartment to remove access panel. I had your problem. I used a rod with handle and a right angle hook on the other end. Stuck it in spoke hole and out it came. Btw, that access panel gives you access to the brake application valve, lines and other items under drivers area. Here I changed valve and lines through the drivers compt access door and the 4x6 inch hole behind panel between headlights, becuse the manual never said anything about that panel. I discovered it while removing and cleaning years of grease and oil in that area.

[buswarrior]

Or, thread a rope thru it.

Get the hose and make it wet for better slipping.

The re-bar prop, or a long crow bar to leverage that thing back into the hole.

Every move needs brains and leverage, not direct force.

Or, take advantage of teenage hormones in the neighbourhood...

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

[luvrbus]

A pickup and chain works for me 

[chessie4905]

use plastic or nylon rope. the cotton or hemp might break from rotting from age. Sorta like tires. lol

[eagle19952]

The rope isn't going to do much good putting the tire back in..

[chessie4905]

Since the flat tire you put back into the hole doesn't have any air in it now, it will be a lot lighter.😋

[luvrbus]

I don't ever plan on putting mine back in fact I no longer have it

[scott332]

I don't know if you have enough room on your bus, but on my MCI I use a crow bar to lift the tire a little bit, then slip a couple of pieces of conduit or 1" PVC pipe under the tire.  I lift the tire enough that one rolls back towards the back of the compartment, the other one I let roll to about the center.  I then use a ratchet strap hook to the rim and I'm able to pull it right out.  Without the "rollers" I can't budge it.

[Ed Hackenbruch]

 Yup, have used rollers too.......forgot about that when i posted about the hook.