The elusive cosmetic bumper plug for the spare tire winch

[rang19ca]

All of the curse words !

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[airline tech]

Do you care to share which curse words are to be used in this situation?

Everyone that you can think of, to be clear my key got stuck on my fist (preventive) lube, so I was in a controlled - self-induced situation and not in a - Crap, I got a flat situation
I only checked it, due to a post of another post of getting the key stuck in the lock and was looking for help to get it out.
Well, I was able to induce the exact same with mine, it gets sand and road dirt / dust in it, and it seizes up from that - the lock assy will then rotate (outer case) and prevent the internal tumbler from rotating separately, they lock / seize together preventing you from removing the key

 

[Cmar]

Wow I didn't even know they had a cover, presumeably the previous owner lost it, even though it looked like the spare had never seen the road.

 

[Ranger_Rocks]

Interesting and easy to overlook. Our 6/2020 build came with a lock. Built-in dust cover seems to keep it clean inside. I'll check mine. If it feels crusty, I'll add some Dry Graphite Lock lube.

 

[airline tech]

Interesting and easy to overlook. Our 6/2020 build came with a lock. Built-in dust cover seems to keep it clean inside. I'll check mine. If it feels crusty, I'll add some Dry Graphite Lock lube.

The backside of it - is exposed to the elements - that's what locks up, I have a strange feeling this is going to turn into a mass of owners - checking and lubing the lock and I have a STRONG hunch most if not all that do it - will report that it sticks and is not free of debris.

 

[DRVMN]

Hmm, its looks like a redesign has been done - square vs round, I wonder if they addressed the issue of them getting dirt & corrosion inside and locking up.

It appears that P/N: LB3Z-17K922-A, fits the 2024 Ranger, but by visual looks - it works

I pull and lube mine at every oil change, to keep it moving free all thanks to others posting about getting the key stuck in it.
They will seize up on you, if you do not do preventive maintenance lubes on this

What procedure do you use to lubricate the lock? I have a 1/2 mile of dirt/gravel road leading to my driveway, so I get lots of dirt. I drop my spare tire down a couple times a year just to wash off all the collected dirt.

Could I just spray some WD-40 or is there something better I should use?

Thank You for all of your great information on this forum!!!

David

 

[Loweredon33s]

Mine came with the lock, I’m totally ordering that cover, looks much better! I don’t even have a spare so….

 

[airline tech]

What procedure do you use to lubricate the lock? I have a 1/2 mile of dirt/gravel road leading to my driveway, so I get lots of dirt. I drop my spare tire down a couple times a year just to wash off all the collected dirt.

Could I just spray some WD-40 or is there something better I should use?

Thank You for all of your great information on this forum!!!

David

Any penetrating oil will work, I use Kroil - LPS-1 or LPS-2 - mainly due to the fact I get them free as an expired shelf-life item from work. I prefer Kroil

 

[Chris M]

Any penetrating oil will work, I use Kroil - LPS-1 or LPS-2 - mainly due to the fact I get them free as an expired shelf-life item from work. I prefer Kroil

Wouldn't it be better to use a dry lube like graphite? Wet lube would attract dirt, wouldn't it?

 

[brroberts]

The backside of it - is exposed to the elements - that's what locks up, I have a strange feeling this is going to turn into a mass of owners - checking and lubing the lock and I have a STRONG hunch most if not all that do it - will report that it sticks and is not free of debris.

Yep, I’m definitely checking mine now. I too, live on gravel.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

Ok, I understand now, this (your plug) just rotates and requires (No-Key)
Well, that is is better design, as I do not see many thieves steeling spare tires, even with the locking type it would not take much to force it off.

They might not even have to “force” it off. I’ve often wondered if any similar style key would work because I just can’t imagine it’s “keyed” to match the locks and ignition. Maybe it’s “keyed” as a valet key or maybe it’s purely mechanical with no pins and just a key blank would work.

I should have tried my Passat’s key before I sold it. Maybe someone can check their other vehicle’s key or if someone has a key blank?

 

[fjwlobo]

They might not even have to “force” it off. I’ve often wondered if any similar style key would work because I just can’t imagine it’s “keyed” to match the locks and ignition. Maybe it’s “keyed” as a valet key or maybe it’s purely mechanical with no pins and just a key blank would work.

I should have tried my Passat’s key before I sold it. Maybe someone can check their other vehicle’s key or if someone has a key blank?

If you have the push button start / stop, it is keyed and is the same key for the doors and tailgate that is in the fob.

 

[Michel Jeanneau]

Ha! I got my key stuck on that darn thing once, while changing a flat tire during a snow storm....oh, the curses...(!@#$%^&*!!).
Soon after that I started doing 5 tire rotations, so I'm working the lock every 5k miles and dousing it with WD-40.

 

[AzScorpion]

They might not even have to “force” it off. I’ve often wondered if any similar style key would work because I just can’t imagine it’s “keyed” to match the locks and ignition. Maybe it’s “keyed” as a valet key or maybe it’s purely mechanical with no pins and just a key blank would work.

I should have tried my Passat’s key before I sold it. Maybe someone can check their other vehicle’s key or if someone has a key blank?

I wonder if a small flat blade screwdriver would work? Like you said I highly doubt they're keyed to every truck and cant see Ford spending the money to do that.

 

[Tom_C]

Just checked my 2020 lariat. Had only checked it when I bought it and forgot about it. Shot some WD40 in it and turned the lock a few times.

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