Tire carrier swing arm too low for latch

[keymonkey]

Hello all,
Tackling a much smaller problem this week....my tire carrier. Here is the issue:
All of the various parts seem to be in reasonable shape, but the carrier arm will occasionally unlatch itself while driving. It seems the swing arm is about 1/8 inch lower than where it should be in relation to the tailgate latch. This means you have to lift the tire a bit to get it up and into the latch cradle. Is the tire carrier like the doors? Can you loosen the bolts and re-angle the entire carrier? If not, what would cause the swing arm to be so low? Thanks.

 

[SHX669]

Our '76 is that way - no biggie I just pick up on the swing arm a bit . It doesn't come unlatched though.
Could be the arms or the tailgate are bent a little . I've seen a lot of EBs have been backed into something and/or bent one or both .

 

[Rustytruck]

Low is good meand the latch is carrying the weight. does your carrier hoop have the stainles steel metal wrap where the latch captures the tube? if not that will tighten the hold on the latch. does you latch have the rubber bumper between the tube and the Latch if not you need that. does you latch handle have the spring to pull the handle closed if not you need to replace that. Your latch tube support may have bent down i=or the the latch where it captures the tube may have worn down. is this tire carrier forced to carry a very heavy tire? Mine has been fine carrying a 33 inch tire and 8 inch steel rim. some people have problems with a heavy tire. its a pretty positive latch when its working properly. may have to weld some build up on the edge of the latch where it captures the tube if everything else is proper.

 

[Rustytruck]

as to the original question. there are thin plastic bushings inside the heavy steel corner castings at the pivot holes.

 

[keymonkey]

Low is good meand the latch is carrying the weight. does your carrier hoop have the stainles steel metal wrap where the latch captures the tube? if not that will tighten the hold on the latch. does you latch have the rubber bumper between the tube and the Latch if not you need that. does you latch handle have the spring to pull the handle closed if not you need to replace that. Your latch tube support may have bent down i=or the the latch where it captures the tube may have worn down. is this tire carrier forced to carry a very heavy tire? Mine has been fine carrying a 33 inch tire and 8 inch steel rim. some people have problems with a heavy tire. its a pretty positive latch when its working properly. may have to weld some build up on the edge of the latch where it captures the tube if everything else is proper.

Stainless wrap check...I loosened it a but so it would bulge infront of the latch to prevent it from sliding too easily off the strike plate. Feels like it should have a ridge or something to stop the latch from sliding over it.

Rubber bumper check...seems in good shape and cross bar is tight in the latch when in it.

Handle spring check...thinking of bending it so there is more resistance.

Latch wear...perhaps..the piece of metal that engages with the strike plate tube has a taper on it's leading edge. I could file that down a shade to see if that helps.

Tire size doubtful.....I'm running 31" on steels

 

[Rustytruck]

the handle should drop down the radius of the tube that blocks it from sliding past it. if you push the bar closed does the handle drip down properly by its self or it doesnt and you can push it down or it drops down and you can pull it the bar out.

 

[keymonkey]

the handle should drop down the radius of the tube that blocks it from sliding past it. if you push the bar closed does the handle drip down properly by its self or it doesnt and you can push it down or it drops down and you can pull it the bar out.

Looked as though the metal that hits the backer plate was worn. I took some metal off the handle side so that bit dropped lower on the strike plate. Seems much better. Shortening my safety cable as a second precaution.