I have had my rear bumper with tire carrier for less than 6 months now. This weekend I noticed the latch was starting to twist open. It did not get all the way open, but now it is twisting every time I drive it. I am afraid it will eventually open while driving. Anyone else have this problem and know how to fix it? Will Smittybilt stand behind it?

 

Bump......

 

Do you have the additional part "L" bracket makes the latch tighter? I got mine from Smittybuilt and it fixed it. It doesn't move at all now.

 

In the meantime use a cable lock and thread it thru the back door latch and wheel.

 

I don't have that piece. Did that come with the original package or did they send it out later?

 

I had to call their customer service; they shipped it for free and at no cost to me.

 

Good to know. Mine is starting to do the same thing.

 

I have exactly the same issue with the latch on my Smittybilt SRC tire carier. Noticed the latch is coming during highway driving. I'm afraid it will swing open when turning. Contacted Smittybilt today. We'll see what they say...

 

Call customer service and tell them your issue. They will send out the correct part right away at no cost to you and you'll be good to go. Had the same issue and they took care of it.

 

UPDATE: I contacted SB regarding the same issue (as I posted earlier in this thread). I couldn't come up with the original receipt for the whole bumper (because I was at work at the time) so I had to pay $48 USD for the part & UPS shipping to Canada, which kinda ticked me off, but whatever, I needed to fix the latch ASAP for road trip. When the part arrived (a simple bolt-on black formed plate), the hole centers & diameters of the holes in the plate did not match the existing SB tire carrier's mounting holes. Out about half a hole. Totally usless to me & I'm out $48. Thus, I still have a bungee cord holding the handle of the latch mechanism, or else the handle always comes open.

Next step it to modify the part I got from SB or make a new one myself, I guess. Anyone else out there still having similar issues with their Smittybilt tire carrier latch assembly?