Harmony Spare Wheel carrier

Following a puncture in my car tyre last week with no spare and just a 'gunge' pack I've installed a spare wheel and carrier pdq.

This prompted my attention to the spare wheel under the Harmony which had been wrapped in black plastic and ignored since getting her back.

I got the spare out today and found an under-inflated 8year old tyre looking a bit worse for wear which will be replaced very shortly.

What I'd like to know is can the carrier cradle can be removed for cleaning and re-painting (a liberal coating of Hammerite)? It was also useful practice should the spare be needed in future.

As ever, any contributions will gratefully received.

Thank you
Terry

Fortunately my Fiat Ducato Harmony has the spare wheel under the bonnet so quite simple to keep my eyes on the pressure at the same time as checking the oil level, etc.....

Lucky you, getting the spare out is quite an ordeal, I've just ordered a 14mm ratchet spanner as the original is a bit useless. Dropping the carrier is OK but I needed the jack to lift it all back onto the retaining hooks - not getting any younger !!!!

Hi,
I seem to remember reading that you are meant to use the jack on the carrier when removing and replacing the spare,
Chris

The one and only time I removed the spare on our Symphony, I used a trolley jack to lift it back up again. Boy is it heavy with the spare in the cradle.

Have you ever tried to get the rack off ? I can see it's hooked onto a sub-frame but I can't tell if the hooks are closed.
Definitely need a a trolley jack (or a fit son-in law, I got him under the car to fit that spare and carrier )

Hi Terry

I took mine off last year and derusted and painted it.
If I remember correctly the hooks do lift off, anyhow mine did.
I didn't use a jack to take the weight, but wished I did. Laying on my back and holding the cradle wasn't the wisest thing to do.

I also fitted a remote inflator schrader valve at the same time.
It wasn't this one but the principle is the same. Mine was just rubber hose and not steel braiding:

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PB

Thanks for the info PB, I could do with something like that on the car as well.
It's good to know you got yours off, did you need to jack the van up to get enough room underneath ?
BTW my tyre place told they would only replace a tyre that had been 'gunged'  and not repair it and would need to add a replacement 'gunge' kit to the cost of a new tyre.

Looks like I'll have to invite son-in-law up 'for lunch and while you're here.....'
Once it's off I'll enjoy the clean-up and repaint process (followed by a second 'lunch' to get it back on!)

Is it possible to drill another hole alongside where the winching up screw goes through then make a hook out of a piece of 8mm round bar so that it can be lifted from a standing position....

I see where you're coming from and I'll be having a fumble tomorrow and look at/if your suggestion is possible.
I'm not keen though in drilling holes in the bodywork especially as it's prone to water thrown up in the rain, bit of a coward in that respect.
I've worked out how get the back end up safely, having removed the spare first, levelling blocks up onto a pallet (just happen to have one handy), handbrake on, in gear and use the levellers as front wheel chocks.

If at can be done, a small grommet will solve the problems of water ingress and its not as if it is off twice a week.....

Good point, I'll have a look at that option.