Somehow or another, the spare tire carrier got bent slightly and would not allow the inner tubes to "telescope" in order to slide the carrier and tire outward. Wound up dropping the "street side" connectors (which are two cotter pins). With a friend's help, and using a vise, we managed to straighten the steel carrier tube, then reinserted the inner galvanized tubes. A little WD40, and the we were back in business
. Glad I discovered this problem now as opposed to on the road trying to get at my spare. BTW: The spare had gone flat over the winter too, so I'm doubly glad I checked!!