van spare wheel mounting?

[pinback2001]

Hi everybody,
This may seem a silly question, but how is the spare wheel supposed to mount underneath the loadbed of a maestro van? My van, (1993) when
purchased had the spare nestling in the loadbed, but there is a bolt
mounted right at the back of the load area that extends underneath the van and terminates in a kind of hook. I've had a poke about underneath, but can see no other mounting for the spare. Has somebody got fed up grovelling in the filth when they've had a flat and taken a hacksaw to the mounts?

[talkingcars]

The spare on my van mounted underneath but I don't remember how.
James

[E_T_V]

Yes, there is a sort of cradle it fits in and the hook thing winds it up and down from inside the van. I'll try and take some pictures to illustrate when I get a spare moment.

My mounting points have been welded and I think they are a common place to corrode, however they are easily fixed. It isn't a bad design really, which makes a change ;)

[E_T_V]

Just re-readong your post, you don't mention having the cradle. It is a long bent pit of metal that sort of cradles the spare. The hook then raises and lowers this cradle. Do you have anything that resembles that cradle?

[pinback2001]

Hi, there is certainly nothing under my van that resembles a cradle for a spare wheel! It is certainly beginning to look like a previous owner has cut it off! Pictures of what it should look like will certainly confirm this.
Thanks

[E_T_V]

If it stops raining for 5 minutes I'll get the camera out tonight.

[E_T_V]

Here are some pics of the setup on my van.

[E_T_V]

And one more

[E_T_V]

The spare wheel has been removed obviously first to show you where it all goes, it simply rests on top of that cradle and is bolted up against the floor using that long rod.

If you got a long piece of bar it should be fairly easy to fabricate a new cradle and re-weld the retaining holes up, or you might be lucky and find one in a scrap yard.

[pinback2001]

Hi E_T_V
Thank you very much for the pictures. I now know exactly what is missing from my van. As you say, it looks a fairly easy assembly to make up from a long bar, but I think I'll have a rake around the scrappies first. May I take this opportunity to compliment you on the tidy underside to your van!

Thanks again,

[E_T_V]

Nah it ain't tidy, far from it, as Mr MOT man pointed out, but things are getting slowly better, as you can see from all the black patches of paint! One sill complete, the rear cross member done, now just the floor and another sill to patch.

Keep an eye on that rear cross member as mine has just had to be replaced which isn't a particularly pleasant job! Seems to be a common spot on vans.

[tony]

Originally posted by E_T_V
which isn't a particularly pleasant job! Seems to be a common spot on vans. [/B]
i know ,just seen mine ,or whats left of it:(