How to remove tire from under the van - 1996 Dodge Caravan

I have a few years earlier Dodge Caravan. 2000 I think. The tire is under the rear cargo area and there is a big bolt under a flap of carpet inside the back cargo area which I believe you must loosen to get the tire off its bracket. Looks like lug nut size.

Inside the rear compartment, right above where the spare tire is located, there should be a small H shaped **** in the carpet, lift the flaps and there will be a nut to conect the lug wrench to. Just put the wrench on there and start turning, it takes a while to get it low enough to remove the tire. Hope this helps you.

The started is located on the back side of engine (firewall side) next to the transmission bellhousing. To remove starter first disconnect the negative battery wire from battery.Raise the front of van up and use jackstands to support the van,block the rear tires. From under the van remove the solenoid wire from starter. Remove bolts from starter and remove starter from van. Installation is the reverse the removal. Hope this will help.

What's happening is that the latch is not releasing - a safety feature so the tire doesn't drop down onto the road should the cable or assembly rust/break etc. While researching I got this info from another forum: Jack up the rear of the van. Wind the spare "up". now put your jack under the spare to support its weight. Then "unwind" it. now look up through the spare to the winch assembly. You'll see a latch at the back - towards the rear of the van. Reach in with a long screwdriver and release it by moving it towards the rear of the van. If you've unwound the winch you should be able to move the plastic holder downwards. Once you've done this you can allow the tire to come down and remove it. Now remove the winch assembly - 5 or 6 bolts. Odds are you'll see apiece of wire hanging or it may have fallen out. You'll also see a spring clip - it clips onto the underside so when you unwind the winch it should pull the aforementioned latch to release the tire. You should be able to get this back in place by fiddling with it, or just attach a wire to the latch to work it manually. Or buy a new winch assembly - approx. $150. Good luck

if the spare tire is under the van there should be a hole by the licence plate to crank it down with a jack handle

It is underneath the van at the back. Open the rear hatch door and look for a little piece of carpet cut in a square on the right side. Lift that and there should be a bolt there that you can turn with the tire wrench. That will lower the tire.

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With the new 2008 models, the spare tire was moved from the rear of the van to a spot below the front seats. The lug for the tire winch is located under a round cover in the floor just in front of and between the two front seats. If you look under the van, you will see the black tire-shaped cover for the spare.

If you have the standard tires on the van the spare is located under the van about center. If the van came with "run flat" tires, there is no spare.

use hammer hit drum to lossen rust if its loose and feels like somthing holding inside on backing plate is a rubber plug remove and back off adjuster

I found the secret, The tire is suspended buy a cable on a winch, there is a nut on the right hand side under the carpet when you open the rear hath. You turn that counter clockwise to lower and you turn the support sideways trough the hole in rime of tire.