Lowering spare wheel on j reg surf

[mancubas]

Hi Guys,
I've looked through the forum on how to lower my spare wheel and followed everybody's advice with no luck. I got underneath it today and took some pictures.
The hole through the bumper:


Then behind the hole in the bumper there appears to be a metal plate in the way.


Is this plate there for a reason or am I doing something stupid?

Thanks

[Growler]

Are you trying to insert the handle at 90 degrees to the bumper ? if so try aiming it off to the left so it passes through the hole in the corner of the plate in 2nd photo

[Robmatthews]

I had the same problem and asked richard about it(stormforce) and neither of us could work it out he said the only idea he had was the bumper was from a later model with wheel carrier on the back door,anyway big hammer/chissel got the offending metal outta the way

[NiftyNev]

Are you trying to insert the handle at 90 degrees to the bumper ? if so try aiming it off to the left so it passes through the hole in the corner of the plate in 2nd photo

Yep, some go straight through and others at an angle. look on left side at rear of chassis for the lowering/raising mechanism.

Nev

[mancubas]

Cheers for the replies guys,
Managed to get it sorted, the plate needed bending downwards. Its also nice to report that the winch mechanism worked a treat and had not seized.

Now the next task is to get her starting smoother!

Thanks again!