Changing a flat tire
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Cross-Country
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
Changing a flat tire
Ran over road debris on the interstate and now both my front and rear tires have developed a flat on the passenger side. Luckily it was a slow leak, so I was able to get home safely. I have been reading the manual how to take the tires off, but the printed manual on my 2017 is missing key steps. Online version is better. If you haven't done tire change yet on your Superduty, I recommend you practice it at home rather than wait having to figure it out roadside, worst case in the dark and in rain, as it is slightly more complicated than in my previous vehicles.
I plan to put the spare tire in the front as there is more weight in front. In the rear I was thinking of putting a few 6" x 6" underneath the rear axle to hold the rear, while I take both tires for repair. Any faults with my plan?
I plan to put the spare tire in the front as there is more weight in front. In the rear I was thinking of putting a few 6" x 6" underneath the rear axle to hold the rear, while I take both tires for repair. Any faults with my plan?
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,058
Likes: 424
From: Too close to Houston
For slow leaks like these I just air them up and drive to the tire store for a proper repair. I bought certificates from Discount Tire shortly after buying mine so I’m covered for road hazard though.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,058
Likes: 424
From: Too close to Houston
As far as I know the procedure hasn't changed in the 45 years I've been driving. Chock tires, break lug nuts loose, jack up vehicle, remove lug nuts, remove wheel/tire (sometimes easier said than done). Reverse procedure to install spare with final torquing done with vehicle weight on tire.
Got to make sure the jack is short enough to get under the axle when the tire is flat and extends high enough to install a fully inflated spare. Sometimes pulling the flat tire up onto a piece of 2x6 helps...
Got to make sure the jack is short enough to get under the axle when the tire is flat and extends high enough to install a fully inflated spare. Sometimes pulling the flat tire up onto a piece of 2x6 helps...
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Cross-Country
Joined: Jan 2017
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1. To get to the jack, you'll have to drop the rear seat rest down. There is a sling on the side of the seat rest that you pull to drop it. To confuse things, there is a sling behind the head rest. Pulling that sling doesn't do anything.
2. To get to the spare tire, you have to unlock and pull out a plug in the rear bumper.
3. The spare tire is locked with a cable to the truck. To free the spare tire you use the lug wrench to loosen a nut.
4. It isn't immediately clear which end to use on the extensions to raise the jack
5. To raise the jack, you have to do it from the front or from the back, depending which tire you are changing. All my other non-truck vehicles, you raise the jack from the side.
All of this is minor stuff and a person will figure this out. Keep in mind though, that I was in my garage and was in no hurry. Think of a situation where you are traveling with your family and you have a flat on the interstate, in the dark and it's raining. You want to get going as soon as possible. That's why my comment about practicing the tire change at home.
Last edited by finnf250; Aug 5, 2019 at 08:07 AM. Reason: Added more info
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 1,136
Likes: 264
From: Southwestern Pa.
These steps were not in the printed manual that came with the truck:
1. To get to the jack, you'll have to drop the rear seat rest down. There is a sling on the side of the seat rest that you pull to drop it. To confuse things, there is a sling behind the head rest. Pulling that sling doesn't do anything.
.
1. To get to the jack, you'll have to drop the rear seat rest down. There is a sling on the side of the seat rest that you pull to drop it. To confuse things, there is a sling behind the head rest. Pulling that sling doesn't do anything.
.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,058
Likes: 424
From: Too close to Houston
These steps were not in the printed manual that came with the truck:
1. To get to the jack, you'll have to drop the rear seat rest down. There is a sling on the side of the seat rest that you pull to drop it. To confuse things, there is a sling behind the head rest. Pulling that sling doesn't do anything.
2. To get to the spare tire, you have to unlock and pull out a plug in the rear bumper.
3. The spare tire is locked with a cable to the truck. To free the spare tire you use the lug wrench to loosen a nut.
4. It isn't immediately clear which end to use on the extensions to raise the jack
5. To raise the jack, you have to do it from the front or from the back, depending which tire you are changing. All my other non-truck vehicles, you raise the jack from the side.
All of this is minor stuff and a person will figure this out. Keep in mind though, that I was in my garage and was in no hurry. Think of a situation where you are traveling with your family and you have a flat on the interstate, in the dark and it's raining. You want to get going as soon as possible. That's why my comment about practicing the tire change at home.
1. To get to the jack, you'll have to drop the rear seat rest down. There is a sling on the side of the seat rest that you pull to drop it. To confuse things, there is a sling behind the head rest. Pulling that sling doesn't do anything.
2. To get to the spare tire, you have to unlock and pull out a plug in the rear bumper.
3. The spare tire is locked with a cable to the truck. To free the spare tire you use the lug wrench to loosen a nut.
4. It isn't immediately clear which end to use on the extensions to raise the jack
5. To raise the jack, you have to do it from the front or from the back, depending which tire you are changing. All my other non-truck vehicles, you raise the jack from the side.
All of this is minor stuff and a person will figure this out. Keep in mind though, that I was in my garage and was in no hurry. Think of a situation where you are traveling with your family and you have a flat on the interstate, in the dark and it's raining. You want to get going as soon as possible. That's why my comment about practicing the tire change at home.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,222
Likes: 4
From: Texas
Have had an '07 350 dually, and now on 3rd 450. Never used the factory jack, awkward looking at best. Bottle jack, correct socket size, 1/2" breaker bar, 6" extension for the socket to reach in better (thinking of rear duals) and you're in business.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 2,745
Likes: 72
From: West Virginia
If you haven't tried to remove the rear hubcap yet, I suggest you do that soon. Ford provides absolutely no tool suitable for this.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 767
Likes: 78
From: NC
No one ever gets a flat out on deserted roads, like hiway 50 in Nevada, for instance. It could be hours before a car passes, and no cell service. Could be over 100 degrees, or below freezing. Perfectly fine to leave you stranded on the side of the road. Need to keep the (found on the road dead) moniker alive. Someone should have been kicked in the teeth for this poor decision. Not literally, but I wouldn't feel bad if they were fired over it, they should be.
Trailering
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 20
Likes: 1
Out of curiosity how does the hubcap come off? I don’t think I’ve ever owned a vehicle for more than a couple hours before I had at least a screwdriver, a pair of pliers, and a pair of gloves in the door pocket so I think I could figure something out. Worst case maybe I could pry it off with my pocketknife if it snaps on the lugs. Does the tire iron the truck comes with not have a flat end on it? The jack handle maybe?