Removing a spare wheel used to be a simple process back in the good old days. Unfortunately, with increasing reports of spare wheel theft, manufacturers were forced to come up with clever ways to secure the wheel underneath the vehicles and yet make it easily accessible. This article will cover the step-by-step guide, including a video on how to remove the spare wheel of your Amarok.
How do you remove the Amarok spare wheel? Removing the spare wheel of an Amarok involves a few simple steps including assembling the tools, locating the access point and then lowering the wheel. The final step is to remove the spare wheel holder bracket that clamps the spare securely underneath the rear tray of the Amarok.
The next few steps will outline exactly how to remove the spare wheel of the Amarok in the correct sequence. I have included pictures of each step. Lastly, there is a video that shows the entire process from start to finish.
Let’s get to it!
Table of Contents
Amarok Spare Wheel Removal Guide
Removing the spare wheel of an Amarok is a fairly simple process if you have all the factory standard tools which come equipped with the vehicle. If you are missing any of the required extension bars, this simple process could present a challenge. This is because of the location of the lowering screw and how deep it sits underneath the rear tray.
I’ve owned a Ute before so I was fairly familiar with the general process of removing the spare wheel, however, each manufacturer is different, so when I initially embarked on removing the wheel, It took me a few minutes to find the access point. You’ll do well to take twenty minutes out of your day to familiarise yourself with the process, since in the event of an emergency you do not want to be scratching your head, not knowing where to find the tools and how to locate the access point or remove the metal wheel holder. You want to do it as quickly and efficiently as possible because we know, being stuck on the side of the road with a flat makes you feel rather vulnerable. If you live in a part of the world where crime is rife, you might want to get your wheel sorted sooner rather than later and spend unnecessary time on the side of the road.
Let us now look at the process in more detail.
STEP 1 (Lower Rear Seat Backrest)
First, lower the rear bench backrest by locating the black nylon loops that secure the backrest in place. You will need two people to do this since there is a loop on either side of the backrest that needs to be pulled simultaneously.
Alternatively, if you are alone, get into the back and tug on both nylon loops at the same time. This lowers the backrest to give you access to the tools behind the rear seat.
STEP 2 (Locate Spare Wheel Removal Kit)
The tools behind the back seat are securely mounted by two Velcro straps that hold them in place. This is a safety feature since in the event of an accident or emergency braking manoeuvre, loose objects can go flying around the vehicle, causing damage, injury or worse. When you are done with the tools, ensure you place them in their correct holders and folders and mount them securely. Unsuitable or damaged tools can cause accidents or injuries.
The tools you’ll find behind the seat include the following:
- Screwdriver (Reversible Blade)
- Boxed spanner for wheel bolts
- Extension lever for cranking the bottle jack up or down
- Socket bit for winding the spare wheel up or down
- Removable towing eye
- Adapter for anti-theft wheel bolts
- A red emergency triangle
The tools are held in a black pouch that holds all the bars, screwdriver and wheel braces. The screwdriver has a star and flat(Philips) reversible blade. Make sure you have it on the Philips (flat) blade to remove the cover of the access point. Once you’ve located and removed the tools to remove the spare, we need to assemble the kit.
Step 3 (Assemble the Kit)
There are three bars in the bag.
- Boxed spanner for wheel bolts
- Extension lever for cranking the bottle jack up or down
- Socket bit for winding the spare wheel up or down
You will use the extension lever bar to the boxed spanner to loosen the nut that holds the wheel.
Step 4 (Open Cover)
Locate the cover that allows you access to the screw to lower the spare wheel. The cover is located on the rear bumper just below the tailgate. It’s a small square black plastic cover. Use the flat blade of the screwdriver to pry open the cover. Insert the socket bit and make sure it’s fitted securely over the square screw. Connect the Box spanner and begin cranking in an anti-clockwise direction to lower the wheel.
Step 5 (Lower Spare Wheel)
- Slide the socket bit onto the square bolt.
- Place the box spanner over the socket bit
- Turn the spare wheel as far as it will go by cranking in an anti-clockwise direction.
- You will have to pass over one stopper which will make a clicking noise when you do.
- Remove the socket bit from the screw
Next, remove the metal bracket to be able to remove the lowered wheel from below the Amarok.
Step 6 (Remove Metal Bracket)
Next, we need to remove the wheel holder bracket so we can have access to the spare wheel. We do so by pressing the metal catch so we can manoeuvre the metal bracket from out of the centre hole of the wheel.
- Push the retaining element on the catch down and through the wheel holder
- Position the wheel holder upright and pull over the cable retainer and out of the hole in the wheel.
- Slide the spare wheel out from underneath the Amarok tray.
Video
Safety
Changing a wheel could be dangerous when carried out on the side of the road. Make sure you follow the below steps to reduce the risk when changing a wheel.
- Stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.
- Park the vehicle a safe distance from moving traffic
- Make sure all passengers and children are out of the vehicle and a safe distance away from where you are working.
- Switch on your hazard lights to warn any other road users
- Make sure the ground is flat and level.
- Make sure the ground is firm. Use a strong board to secure beneath the bottle jack
- Only change the wheel if you feel confident enough to carry out the procedure.
- Make sure your tools are suitable and undamaged.
- Switch off the engine, apply the handbrake and select 1st gear to avoid unintended vehicle movement.
- Have the wheel bolt tightening torque checked immediately with a torque wrench afterwards.
Conclusion
Make sure you only change the wheel yourself if the vehicle is parked in a safe-level place. Make sure you are familiar with all the necessary steps and safety procedures and you have access to all the tools. Read and familiarise yourself with your owner’s manual.