Heh all. So this is the 3rd time I need to replace my spare tire carrier due to the metal cracking (not the welds).

The metal surrounding all 3 studs cracked.
Could the supplied spacers be causing the problem?
I'm over buying new carriers Has anyone else experienced this problem using the "big tire" adapter plate?

 

Do the carrier flip mod found on discovery2.co.uk

I'm willing to bet it's got something to do with the wheel being further out creating more torsional force combined with the fact that there is less contact area due to those little spacers. I've had my carrier flipped for a couple years now with zero issue. I even sit and stand on the d*mn thing sometimes. It's super stout.

As for buying new carriers... take the carrier off, bolt a wheel on to pull it back flush, and take the thing to a garage to just have it welded back. I'm betting that will be much cheaper than buying another new carrier. Should just have to put a squirt of paint on it after it's welded.

 

I had the same problem before. I have the same setup like yours. It squeaks a lot when cracked with heavy tires mounted. I heard turning it the other way works well too. The easiest fix is by welding it even while its attached. Brush coats of rustproofing paint after.

 

Yes those spacers are the main reason it cracked, (very little contact point), weld it as suggested & if you have to have the spacers to clear a larger spare tire from bumper then instead of those small spacers use a flat thick sheet metal with proper holes or better yet use a real wheel spacer of needed thickness to distribute the pressure & you won't have that problem anymore,

 

For folks looking to buy, this is the spare tire relocater sold by Atlantic British.

flipping the tire carrier is a little ghetto. You end up having to drill extra holes or go with 4 mounting bolts instead of 6.

I always thought the spacers seemed a bad idea. I don't know why AB didn't suggest the cutting the lugs on the tire carrier so that you can mount the plate flat to the carrier.

i might be able to get it welded out here for the 60 bucks it's costing me for a new carrier but it'd be close. Seattle is pretty expensive these Days. I'll probably hang on to it and use it for practice when I pick up my welder next month.

thanks for the replies. Looking back at my reciepts, this last carrier lasted a whole 2 1/2 years

 

One man's ghetto is another mans cost conscious, and obviously stronger.

To each their own, but it looks no different than without it flipped. Plus it doesn't move your spare out from your door further.

 

It is such an easy mod. I flipped mine, redrilled as needed, notched out spot for rear wiper, then paint.

No cost other than about an hour of my time.

 

I've owned 2 discos and I've had them crack on both. One with the adapter and one without. These things just aren't meant to hold bigger tires.
I purchased a $90.00 flux welder for fixing and building various things. I've used it twice to tack up the cracks and it's worked great.

 

There is also the Devon 4x4 spare tire carrier sold by Lucky8 that replaces the OEM one. Seems like a better solution. Not much more expensive than the adapter.

https://www.lucky8llc.com/collection...-wheel-carrier

 

That one definitely looks like a good option. Seems really sturdy from the pictures.