This is common to many vehicles. Lots of crud under there.

Two people help. One turns the lever back and forth to raise/lower it, the other is underneath going "jigglie-jigglie" on the tire.

Or if you're alone and in the middle of nowhere, or if you don't want to get under the vehicle because it's snowy and et, kick the spare while you turn the shaft back and forth.

[color:"white"]? 04 Rodeo DI ?[/color] 75k mi, body damage on the 1st weekend I got it.