Chevrolet 1998 Astro Owner's Manual page 247

The ratchet has an UP side.
Your spare tire is stored underneath the rear of your
vehicle. You will use the ratchet and extension to lower
the spare tire.
I
It also has a DOWN side.
Attach the ratchet, with the DOWN side facing you, to
the extension. The extension has a socket end and a flat
chisel end.
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