It's been a while since I lasted posted here but thought this might be the best place for some help/suggestions. I've had my 2007 F150 for about a year now and had a flat tire just the other day, my first on this truck. Spare tire is fine and looks as though it's never been on the road, the problem was I couldn't get the spare off.The owners manual says the ignition key will unlock the lock that is there, but I could not get it to unlock.I've tried everything I can think of and wanted to see if anyone here has had the same problem and could offer some suggestions before I call a locksmith. I've tried both keys that came with the truck and lubed the lock good with a graphite based lock lubricant.

 

You can use a hammer and a punch to get it out, they're not held in by much. My buddy's 07' lock mechanism wouldn't open for him either, (to much corrosion); a couple minutes later it was out. You don't really need it unless your worried someone is going to try and steel your spare.

 

Mine too was seized when I tried to unlock it. I put deep creep in the lock for a couple of days to hopefully break it free but no such luck. The lock assembly is held in place by a circlip on the back side of your bumper, pop it off and remove the lock to get at your spare, it'll probably be rusted solid also. Again like said above, you don't need it unless you fear it'll get stolen.

 

Very common problem. I removed my lock as well after weeks of lubing and trying. Sometimes they just aren't going to ever fix themselves even after lubing them up. I pulled mine off. I highly doubt someone will steal a spare tire anyways.

 

Thanks guys for your help. I had pretty much guessed I was going to have to take it out with a hammer and punch or some other aggressive trick. I appreciate the help.

 

If you get it opened or if you replace the lock, should exercise it and lube it at least once a year to avoid another freeze up.

 

"If you get it opened or if you replace the lock, should exercise it and lube it at least once a year to avoid another freeze up."

Beat me to it!

"I highly doubt someone will steal a spare tire anyways."

It does happen. Low lifes are everywhere, and they'll surprise you with what they will steal.

 

Yea, should not only lube and exercise the lock - the lifting mechanism also will freeze up.

 

(This is good practice in case i get a flat tire.) I drop my spare tire every year and spray everything with penetrating oil and grease the cable. I then check the tire pressure and wash all the salt and dirt off the steel rim. While I'm there i clean my fuel pump module. My lock i put a thin layer of grease on the back to stop it from freezing up and rusting. I don't like that the lock is open to all the elements in the back.