Having a helluva time changing tires, tire changer broke, air compressor line broke, tire valve broke, can't get bead to seat.... argh. Haven't even got one tire back on the truck!
Anyway, need to put the spare on and just drive but the spare won't lower down. Anyway I can get it down w/o cutting off the bracket? Don't have a torch to do it. The shaft just spins and does nothing

 

trying pry on the spare itself after you turn the bar to lower it, only turn a couple times or it could fall and injur if it has nevr been down they stick to the plate the but up against.

 

i had to get down and kick it, it was rusted in place lol just becareful it dosen;t fall on you

 

I had to cut mine once, use a set of tin snips or something to that effect.

 

When I had mine lowered, I put antiseize on a rag and wiped it on the line to help prevent rusting.

I'm not sure on your spare tire, but as already mentioned some presure on it while rotating the shaft. Also, make sure the shaft is actually engaged in the keyhole!
I have a locking shaft on mine that will spin and spin unless the right end key is used. If you have a square hole in the end of yours you have no key, but it still has to seat itself to be able to turn. It would bind if you were to keep spinning and spinning so I think that's your situation.
As far as the keyed shafts, the ends look like the squiggly key patterns used on the face of lug nuts.

To seat your tire after the bead has been broke... Get it where it needs to be and lay it on the ground. Now, take some starting fluid and squirt the inside of the tire like point at the wheel inside the tire and when you go around the perimeter once, spray a line up the side wall to the tread. Take either a torch or a match on the end of a stick and light the fluid. The fluid inside the tire will explode and seat the bead. You don't want to be even an arms length away as it will shoot out a flame. Fill instantly because the tire will shrink and shrivel and will break itself off the bead.
Do a Youtube search on seating a bead with starter fluid so you get the idea. BE CAREFUL!
I have done several tires with no incedents. It can be safe if you are safe. I assume no responsibility for anyones actions and merely representing a short cut way to save a buck.

 

Mine has the anti-theft key in the winch shaft as well.
I can't engage it with the two peice extandable unit, as the first shaft is too short, so I need to use only the first shaft with a socket and extension wedged into it.

The next time I need to drop my spare, I'm going to throw teh lock in the ditch.

 

got the tire to move a bit, but the shaft in the truck isn't engaging, I pulled it right out, looks like a pin or something has broken so it won't engage

also, I'm gonna try to avoid using the ether method since I'm using balance beads. Did a flame test with one and they do get soft in a hurry.


**Just an update : I had to cut the tire carrier off with an arc welder. Have a fire extinguisher ready if you do this