Ducato spare wheel mechanism problems

[THYS]

good morning guys and girls,i am a new member joined today but allready looking for advice!!!I own a Fiat Ducato Maxi 2012/2013 Vin number ZFA25000001991615 model motorhome.I had my first puncture 3 months ago and to my horror discovered that the tools to lower my sparewheel is not included in the black box under the left front seat.We contacted the dealers and they then ordered the tools which took 8 weeks to arrive!Needless to say they ordered the wrong tools and send me the wheelspanner instead.I eventually received the correct tools just to find out that the lowering mechanism does not work and just goes "cluck cluck" whilst turning.Obviously stripped and damaged.I noticed on this forum lots of folk complain about this device and would like to ask the question if a person cannot perhaps modify this device to something stronger and more reliable.Any help will be appreciated!!!
Thank you.

 

[CDK]

In my van the tool for operating the jack is also used for the spare wheel winch.
Unfortunately nobody takes the trouble to regularly lower the wheel and check the pressure, so if you succeed in lowering it you'll probably find most of the air gone.
I carry two emergency tire repair cans to avoid the hassle with the spare wheel. They probably do not have enough volume to obtain normal tire pressure but enough to slowly drive to the nearest tire center.

 

[adlarplant]

The spare tyre mechanism is one thing that fiat has under designed Ive done 9 so far in the 5 years Ive had mine dust, dirt roads, blacktop highway doesn't matter Ive broken them whilst dropping the wheel at a service i dont care what others have experienced in this forum, every Ducato owner I have spoken to about them say they are an absolute poor piece of design .
The engineers have used a plastic drive wheel to drive a steel spiral which isnt strong enough to drive the spiral to raise or lower the wheel when needed all Fiat do is say that will be more dollars thanx ,yes we know its a problem if you clean it regularly you wont have this problem, when asked if i should use water or air to clean it or where can i clean it as its a totally sealed unit all i get is dumb looks ,go figure .I carry a spare mechanism and a 18volt angle grinder to cut the drive ,makes it an expensive flat tyre i can tell you
Cheers Adam

 

[Mal126]

The spare tyre mechanism is one thing that fiat has under designed Ive done 9 so far in the 5 years Ive had mine dust, dirt roads, blacktop highway doesn't matter Ive broken them whilst dropping the wheel at a service i dont care what others have experienced in this forum, every Ducato owner I have spoken to about them say they are an absolute poor piece of design .
The engineers have used a plastic drive wheel to drive a steel spiral which isnt strong enough to drive the spiral to raise or lower the wheel when needed all Fiat do is say that will be more dollars thanx ,yes we know its a problem if you clean it regularly you wont have this problem, when asked if i should use water or air to clean it or where can i clean it as its a totally sealed unit all i get is dumb looks ,go figure .I carry a spare mechanism and a 18volt angle grinder to cut the drive ,makes it an expensive flat tyre i can tell you
Cheers Adam

Check with dealer if a recall is due on your vehicle (or pm me chassis number) new mechanism available.

 

[Mal126]

good morning guys and girls,i am a new member joined today but allready looking for advice!!!I own a Fiat Ducato Maxi 2012/2013 Vin number ZFA25000001991615 model motorhome.I had my first puncture 3 months ago and to my horror discovered that the tools to lower my sparewheel is not included in the black box under the left front seat.We contacted the dealers and they then ordered the tools which took 8 weeks to arrive!Needless to say they ordered the wrong tools and send me the wheelspanner instead.I eventually received the correct tools just to find out that the lowering mechanism does not work and just goes "cluck cluck" whilst turning.Obviously stripped and damaged.I noticed on this forum lots of folk complain about this device and would like to ask the question if a person cannot perhaps modify this device to something stronger and more reliable.Any help will be appreciated!!!
Thank you.

Whoops sorry replied to wrong person, meant for original poster