Spare Tire Wisdom

[MetalsGeek]

Should have checked where it's at on other trucks before the big whine.

Whine! LOL. Hey, as an engineer, I'm always trying to improve the design of everything I see, including my own past projects. I can't help it. Just because something has always been done a certain way doesn't mean it can't be improved. The rear drum brakes on my '87 Mustang GT were just like the ones on my '72 Maverick, yet the ones on my wife's 2001 ZX2 (2-dr Escort) had been redesigned to be simpler, cheaper, AND worked much better.

Sponsored

 

[Gschaef]

Thanks for starting the thread and for all the good suggestions. It may also help some to watch a video before removing the spare for the first time.

 

[TwoTone]

Whine! LOL. Hey, as an engineer, I'm always trying to improve the design of everything I see, including my own past projects. I can't help it. Just because something has always been done a certain way doesn't mean it can't be improved. The rear drum brakes on my '87 Mustang GT were just like the ones on my '72 Maverick, yet the ones on my wife's 2001 ZX2 (2-dr Escort) had been redesigned to be simpler, cheaper, AND worked much better.

So as an engineer your solution to the non-existent problem is to go through the wheel well which depending on conditions puts you close or into the roadway to lower your flat.

Got ya, hope your better at it in your actual field.

 

[Master Blaster]

Good reminder, much appreciated. I have been putting this off. It is now on my list. My understanding is the lug nuts torque is 110 pounds?

Nope, its 150 foot-pounds, same as the F150 with the same size studs.

 

[Oscarcat]

Nope, its 150 foot-pounds, same as the F150 with the same size studs.

RE: 150 ft lb = THX and OMG, that is even worse than I thought. No wonder people are writing that the pathetic lug wrench included with the truck is unsuitable.

 

[ryde4ever]

I carry a Safety Seal tire repair kit and a rechargeable air pump. A few other tools like pliers to pull out the offending item. I do this on my motorcycles too. That takes care of 99% of the issues. I have AAA too if I am really lazy.

 

[Maui]

5 year 60k roadside assistance. I won't look at the jack until that passes.

 

[1929]

5 year 60k roadside assistance. I won't look at the jack until that passes.

We called for roadside assistance. ETA for assistance to arrive 3 hours. Do it myself in 25 minutes or wait 3 hours? Yes, I changed it myself.

 

[SLJ]

5 year 60k roadside assistance. I won't look at the jack until that passes.

Ford Roadside Assistance is a joke. The one time I've tried to use it I called a weekday @ 2pm in a mall parking lot in a major city and they told me they had no one available for that area. Not just a yes in an hour or two but no chance of anyone showing up ever. AAA was there in ten minutes.

 

[shadow76]

Since many of us "early buyers" paid extra for a "full sized spare" only to find out that it is not, I am interested in how this plays out for you. I wonder if it will fit in the space provided under the bed if you put an OEM size tore there. Has anyone tried to put their "flat" tire back under the truck?

Having gone thru this scenario of learning the spare tire removal process prior to an actual tire failure. Decided to utilize the large plastic bag to store the failed tire/rim rather than damage the finish on the rim by cranking it under the bed.

The provided scissor type jack is adequate for most surfaces, but recommend a short length of 2x6 to serve as a jack platform on soft surfaces. Ensure the jack slots into the body flange to avoid damage.

Definitely obtain a folding, traditional lug nut wrench or better yet a dedicated socket and breaker bar with a 6” extension for the lug nuts. The provided lug wrench may provide an unneeded challenge to some folks.

Or you can avoid the drama by calling AAA.

 

[WildGrok]

Ford Roadside Assistance is a joke. The one time I've tried to use it I called a weekday @ 2pm in a mall parking lot in a major city and they told me they had no one available for that area. Not just a yes in an hour or two but no chance of anyone showing up ever. AAA was there in ten minutes.

I am super happy with geico roadside assistance

 

[Dad]

Since the Maverick has a new-to-me approach to stowing the spare tire, I thought I would do a dry run on its use in my driveway on a nice, sunny afternoon. After all, why not play with my toys for an hour and also reduce future swearing, at night, in the rain, on the side of the interstate? I strongly recommend that you do the same, since you may discover some things sure to make your future life easier and safer. Here's my list of personal epiphanies:

1. IMPORTANT: The tailgate MUST be up for the jack handle extension tube to fit thru the hole above the bumper and lower the spare. If you have a jack extension drive tube in place and lower the tailgate, you may damage the tailgate. (Don't ask how I know this.) If you get a flat while carrying a full load that covers the tailgate, you're screwed. An attached trailer will also interfere with your ability to turn the handle and lower the spare. All these problems could have been solved by putting the access hole in the wheel well or on a corner instead of centered above the bumper. Great job, Ford!

2. Study how the jack is packed when you unwrap it so you can get it back the same way. The manual has sketches on p.357 & 360. The small plastic tip seems useful for removing XL hubcaps but n/a for alloy wheels.

3. The gender of the jack extension tubes may seem backwards to anyone used to square drive tools. e.g. The female end goes into the truck, and the male end engages a square hole in the handle.

4. You will probably have to lie down on the ground to be able to reach under the bumper well enough to disconnect the spare from the cable system. I suggest you keep a small (5x7) Harbor Freight tarp with the jack. Some heavy nitrile gloves wouldn't hurt either, to keep your steering wheel clean on the rest of your trip.

5. There's a heavy redundant cable (in addition to the winch) on the spare. I assume this is to prevent injury to the person tailgating you, should your winch cable fail.

6. There's a blue plastic cone that must be removed from the cable to get the spare off. This item is at VERY high risk of loss on the roadside, so try to put it back on the cable as soon as you disconnect the spare, and of course, winch the cable back up so it won't drag on the ground.

7. If you have aftermarket lug nut locks like McGard, consider putting the key where you're sure to find it even if you forgot where you put it several years from now. You DID already order a spare, right?

8. I don't carry wheel chocks, but I do carry ratchet straps that tie up tightly for storage and could be used for that in a pinch.

I'm sure other members will chime in and share the wisdom. Please do!

Edit: Thanks everyone so much for all the really good suggestions on lighting (flashlights, magnetic 12V LED work lights), better tooling (compressor, plug kit, socket & ratchet), and hygiene (disposable attire, large trash bags to cover failed tire, etc).

This is a great post with great advice! Get to know your emergency equipment before having an emergency because, as you stated, you probably won't be in the safety and comfort of your garage or driveway when you have to replace a flat tire. Many thanks for your time and effort in bringing this to everyone's attention.

 

[Dad]

Having gone thru this scenario of learning the spare tire removal process prior to an actual tire failure. Decided to utilize the large plastic bag to store the failed tire/rim rather than damage the finish on the rim by cranking it under the bed.

The provided scissor type jack is adequate for most surfaces, but recommend a short length of 2x6 to serve as a jack platform on soft surfaces. Ensure the jack slots into the body flange to avoid damage.

Definitely obtain a folding, traditional lug nut wrench or better yet a dedicated socket and breaker bar with a 6” extension for the lug nuts. The provided lug wrench may provide an unneeded challenge to some folks.

Or you can avoid the drama by calling AAA.

More great advice especially about having a breaker bar for the lug nuts. Easy to forget that most shops use an air impact wrench on those lug nuts and they can be hard to loosen with a conventional lug nut wrench.

 

[sprubs]

Disposable hazmat coverall w/hood $8 to $12, not just for tire changes. Handy for vehicle recovery as well, keeps you clean and dry.

I carry 2, takes little storage space

we are going to have to start calling you Dexter.

 

[mspmms]

This thread helped me with a latent thought that has been going on in my head about the removal of a tire out in the wild since my steelie upgrade.

I will be putting these with my Maverick's OEM scissor jack for one of those " just in case times" of a flat :

A Telescoping Lug Wrench with my Lug Nut Protector Socket

Sponsored