Unable to remove spare in my 83' 308 QV

Its probably rusted-in - can you drip some penetrating oil between the bolt and the wheel in the hope it trickles down & eases off the thread ?

The plastic could be a little fragile if you have to exert too much force

Yes it unscrews normally ie counter-clokwise

 

My recollection is rusty (pun not intended....sorry) but it could be there's a nut in a housing which gives that impression without letting the bolt be loose

 

Are you saying that the nut underneath holding the stud just keeps turning?

 

The nut may be a square nut, captured in a box (allows for some sideways movement). If so, the nut may just be turning a little until it hits one side of the other. Highly likely that the hold down is rusted in the nut.

I think that you'll be lucky to get it out without destroying it.

 

Nope. The nut is on a raised platform, but you can't get to it with the tire in the way.
As others have suggested, the nut is probably wiggling in its holder. Lots of penetrating oil.
I have an '83 & can take pictures if need be.

 

Use some WD40 or PB and leave it a while then use a Hair Dryer and blow some air through the holes in the wheel and across the Black Plastic knurled wheel and it should come loose. The threads on the hold down shaft are fairly coarse and should come loose. Take your time, the hair dryer or heat gun will do the trick. Do not turm the heat up too much if you use a heat gun, you will melt the plastic!

 

That part has gotten pretty expensive.

I second the call to spray the lubricant under the knob and try to get it down the shaft.

The play has to be from one end, or the other, working loose.
Stripping out the knob would expose the shaft, but not the best result!

 

FWIW, we have these from Hill Engineering for the 110mm shaft (308, QV) : 61609400 Tire Hold Down Nut (110mm) - Ricambi America, Inc.

 

Well thanks, Daniel!!

Some of the salvage yards are well on towards $200, for an "old" one!!!