backafter20 Posted October 15, 2008 Report Share Posted October 15, 2008 I pulled into work the other night and noticed my right rear tire about half inflated. I wasn't too worried, as Shelby had that all worked out with the compressor, right? Well, in the morning (I work nights), I got out the compressor and inflated the tire. The whole side wall ballooned out and gushed air nearly as fast as I could put it in. I work in a secure facility, so a tow truck would not be allowed in to get my car. I knew the tire was toast, so I wasn't worried about damaging it further, so I drove a half mile or so and reinflated it, repeating as necessary. It eventually held no air at all, but I carefully drove around 5 mph and made it home on a flat tire with no damage to the rim. Once there, I discovered that I could no longer get a jack under the car, so was unable to fix it. I only live a mile or so from a Discount Tire Co., so I repeated my slow limp there to get a tire. No such luck, as the tire had had enough and began to leave the rim. Now I was stuck and couldn't drive at all without damaging the rim. I actually had several tire stores nearby, none of which carried the right tire. I called Roadside Assistance and asked to be towed back home. Again, no luck. Roadside won't do that without charging you. ($90!) They only tow to a Ford stealership. It's not what I wanted, but I let them put it on a flatbed, scraping both front and rear, and take it to Ford. Ford obligingly charged me $191 for a tire that I could have bought online for $87, and $14 labor to put it on! Sure wish I'd had stayed at home when I had the chance. Live and learn, I guess. I'm sure the compressor/sealant would have been fine for most cases, but my tire had severe damage. How are you guys preparing for flats? Sticking with Shelby's compressor? Adding a stock spare? What about a low-profile jack? I felt so stupid driving on a flat. I don't want to repeat that. A local Mustang Supply company wanted $150 for a stock spare/jack/wrench. That seemed awful high to me. Ideas? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paleoc Posted October 15, 2008 Report Share Posted October 15, 2008 I pulled into work the other night and noticed my right rear tire about half inflated. I wasn't too worried, as Shelby had that all worked out with the compressor, right? Well, in the morning (I work nights), I got out the compressor and inflated the tire. The whole side wall ballooned out and gushed air nearly as fast as I could put it in. I work in a secure facility, so a tow truck would not be allowed in to get my car. I knew the tire was toast, so I wasn't worried about damaging it further, so I drove a half mile or so and reinflated it, repeating as necessary. It eventually held no air at all, but I carefully drove around 5 mph and made it home on a flat tire with no damage to the rim. Once there, I discovered that I could no longer get a jack under the car, so was unable to fix it. I only live a mile or so from a Discount Tire Co., so I repeated my slow limp there to get a tire. No such luck, as the tire had had enough and began to leave the rim. Now I was stuck and couldn't drive at all without damaging the rim. I actually had several tire stores nearby, none of which carried the right tire. I called Roadside Assistance and asked to be towed back home. Again, no luck. Roadside won't do that without charging you. ($90!) They only tow to a Ford stealership. It's not what I wanted, but I let them put it on a flatbed, scraping both front and rear, and take it to Ford. Ford obligingly charged me $191 for a tire that I could have bought online for $87, and $14 labor to put it on! Sure wish I'd had stayed at home when I had the chance. Live and learn, I guess. I'm sure the compressor/sealant would have been fine for most cases, but my tire had severe damage. How are you guys preparing for flats? Sticking with Shelby's compressor? Adding a stock spare? What about a low-profile jack? I felt so stupid driving on a flat. I don't want to repeat that. A local Mustang Supply company wanted $150 for a stock spare/jack/wrench. That seemed awful high to me. Ideas? I have 20's with the Shelby Razor wheels. I bought an extra identical tire and wheel and dropped it in the spare wheel well in the truck. Even though the new tire and wheel is about 3 inches wider than stock and sticks up, it just produces a small bulge in the trunk mat. I bought a low profile floor jack because the scissors jack and standard jack won't fit under the car. Although the whole deal is a bit of change, I won't get stuck with the drama you went through. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrfarmdog Posted October 15, 2008 Report Share Posted October 15, 2008 I ran over some shrapnel at the track and cut a gash about an inch wide right in the center of my front drivers tire. I tried the fix a flat and it worked great to my suprise. But every since then I can't help but feel a bit exposed to the chance of having a flat that can not be repaired and getting stranded. I was just happy I found out about it sitting in the staging lanes and not at 130MPH! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rpretzel Posted October 15, 2008 Report Share Posted October 15, 2008 Three letters: AAA Saved my butt many times. For $60/year it can't be beat. They'll tow you wherever you want to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
one_quik_pony Posted October 15, 2008 Report Share Posted October 15, 2008 Why arent your cars equipped with spare tires? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
backafter20 Posted October 15, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 15, 2008 I've heard a few reasons about having no spare tire, but the one that makes the most sense is that even if we had one, we can't get a jack under the car anyway. Doesn't anyone make a portable low-profile jack? About the compressor: the sealant is part of the mechanism. Once it runs out, do you have to just toss it? Is it reuseable, or does the sealant clog the hose and it's just a one-time use deal, or what? Also, that $150 for a spare/jack/wrench is too high, right? If you use two scissors jacks, one at a un-flat corner, would that work ok on an SGT? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ilmor Posted October 15, 2008 Report Share Posted October 15, 2008 Why arent your cars equipped with spare tires? The theory is to lighten up the car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
backafter20 Posted October 15, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 15, 2008 A donut spare on a lightweight temporary rim would lighten the car. A compressor with sealant is just a band-aid, and potentially useless when you have severe tire damage, although probably adequate for most situations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greaser Posted October 15, 2008 Report Share Posted October 15, 2008 not sure on the sealant and compressor but there is an inflatable ballon that is used for jacking up vehicles it uses the exhaust to do it but i can remember where i say it at. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
one_quik_pony Posted October 15, 2008 Report Share Posted October 15, 2008 Seems kinda silly to eliminate the spare tire and jack in an effort to lighten a mid 13 second car. My GT-H came with a spare and jack. I've never had it out, but I would assume it works. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jer Posted October 15, 2008 Report Share Posted October 15, 2008 A donut spare on a lightweight temporary rim would lighten the car. A compressor with sealant is just a band-aid, and potentially useless when you have severe tire damage, although probably adequate for most situations. I believe that the donuts are not an option, the car is too low to the ground. Many sports cars these days are not equipped with spares, the SGT is not the first. This includes cars in this price range, as well as others in the "mid 13 second" range. :glare: (Sorry, couldn't resist.) It's also not just a nod to overall weight savings, but a balance situation for weight distribution, perhaps? Either way, flat tires are now MUCH more of a rare occurence than even 10 or 15 years ago. Tire engineering has come a long way. Yes, I know... I'll be getting a flat tomorrow. Me and my big mouth. Jer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clark17357 Posted October 16, 2008 Report Share Posted October 16, 2008 Check this thread out for how to jack up a SGT. I also bought a spare tire for my SGT. http://www.teamshelby.com/forums/index.php...p;hl=inflatable Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ilmor Posted October 16, 2008 Report Share Posted October 16, 2008 I believe that the donuts are not an option, the car is too low to the ground.Many sports cars these days are not equipped with spares, the SGT is not the first. This includes cars in this price range, as well as others in the "mid 13 second" range. :glare: (Sorry, couldn't resist.) It's also not just a nod to overall weight savings, but a balance situation for weight distribution, perhaps? Either way, flat tires are now MUCH more of a rare occurence than even 10 or 15 years ago. Tire engineering has come a long way. Yes, I know... I'll be getting a flat tomorrow. Me and my big mouth. Jer I probably will too, but I have not had a flat tire in 38 years of driving. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrfarmdog Posted October 16, 2008 Report Share Posted October 16, 2008 Seems kinda silly to eliminate the spare tire and jack in an effort to lighten a mid 13 second car. My GT-H came with a spare and jack. I've never had it out, but I would assume it works. If I remember right a couple of years ago when this was kicked around the reason for lightening the load was not to make it faster but so that it would meet some other weight related criteria or regulatory requirement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffIsHereToo Posted October 16, 2008 Report Share Posted October 16, 2008 +1 Extra wheel and tire. AAA to get back to a dealer, then bring over the other wheel and tire. Repeat as needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
'07 SGT 2289 Posted October 16, 2008 Report Share Posted October 16, 2008 It took me time, I got everything off of Ebay, spare tire, jack, & lug wrench for about $75.00. The only thing that got from the dealer was a $3.00 wing nut. I also put a short 2" x 6" in the well to pick the car up enough to get the jack under the frame. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
backafter20 Posted October 16, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 16, 2008 A homemade 2x6 rampette? Now that's cheap and practical, and less hassle than using two jacks! I like it! All I need is a spare tire. I have a lug wrench, and I saw an aftermarket scissors jack today for $18, or half the price of the Ford unit. This could end up an easy fix. BTW, I read in the Shelby GT Owners Supplement that the compressor/sealant was for one tire only, and that we should consult the dealer for sealant refills. I can't imagine them being cheaper than just getting a can of fix-a-flat. I really hate dealing with Ford... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reino Posted October 16, 2008 Report Share Posted October 16, 2008 I can only come up with one reason Ford didnt put a spare in the car. Cost Savings. All the other reasons yall came up with deffinately makes sence but that doesnt explain why they arnt putting them in the focus. My father bought a new focus about 6 months ago as a commuter car and I was more amazed that didnt have a spare then I was when I found out the SGT didnt have a spare. Atleast with the SGT's they can say its to lighten the rear end, couldnt get the jack under the car, etc., but the focus came with the exact same items our SGT did. A bottle of green goo and a compressor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ingram4868 Posted October 16, 2008 Report Share Posted October 16, 2008 You guys finally got me to get off the dime. I ordered a new FRPP SVT rim for $209.00, jack for $28.00 and hold down gismo for the jack for $3.00. Sounds like a fun little project. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clark17357 Posted October 17, 2008 Report Share Posted October 17, 2008 All I need is a spare tire. I have a spare tire. Last year, four of us bought a member's set of SGT wheels when he got new wheels. I carried my spare in my trunk, along with the inflatable jack until I had to get GT500 wheels to clear the brake package I bought for the car. The spare I now have (it is black) will no longer fit the car. Let me know. Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShelbyCobra826 Posted October 22, 2008 Report Share Posted October 22, 2008 The theory is to lighten up the car. That's the "theory" alright. The reality is likely something entirely different...and much more cost effective. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RODDERB Posted October 22, 2008 Report Share Posted October 22, 2008 That's the "theory" alright. The reality is likely something entirely different...and much more cost effective. If you take a look at the bump stops on the rear end,you will see that they had to shave some weight.I only have about a 1/2" of space before it bottoms out! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chill Posted October 31, 2008 Report Share Posted October 31, 2008 I tried searching but couldn't find it...I thought I read somewhere that we needed a 17" to fit down in the well. Do you guys know if that is correct or not? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruces Posted October 31, 2008 Report Share Posted October 31, 2008 I think I will go with spare will the spare wheel from standard Mustinag work is it small spare and will Ford jack work? not sure on these thoughts part numbers Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelby-Don Posted October 31, 2008 Report Share Posted October 31, 2008 I tried searching but couldn't find it...I thought I read somewhere that we needed a 17" to fit down in the well. Do you guys know if that is correct or not? Thanks! I thought I had read the same thing earlier on. I thought that the 18" rim and tire combo would not fit into the spare tire recess and would have to fit loose in the trunk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ingram4868 Posted October 31, 2008 Report Share Posted October 31, 2008 So far I've bought the scissor jack used in the Mustang and the hold down that fastens it to the floor. The spare GT500 rim arrived the other day. Next summer I'll be changing the car tires to the Goodyear F1 all seasons 255-45-18. I'll mount one of the current front tires on spare at that time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuLu Posted October 31, 2008 Report Share Posted October 31, 2008 I thought I had read the same thing earlier on. I thought that the 18" rim and tire combo would not fit into the spare tire recess and would have to fit loose in the trunk. I posted something on this topic a while back, maybe that was my post? I was going to take a wheel assembly off LuLu and see if it would fit in the tire well. However, I measured first, and abandoned the thought. My measurements indicated that the wheel assembly was 1/2" too large for the tire well. IMHO, it's not a matter of wheel diameter, rather, the height of the tire's sidewall. Something smaller than the stock 235/50-18 may fit and be suitable for temporary (next exit) use. The BFG 235/50-18 was the stock assembly on the '03-'04 Marauders, most of which came with a space saver (donut) spare. It's 18", but won't clear an aftermarket big brake kit. Maybe you can find one on ebay? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6-Speed Posted October 31, 2008 Report Share Posted October 31, 2008 I thought I had read the same thing earlier on. I thought that the 18" rim and tire combo would not fit into the spare tire recess and would have to fit loose in the trunk. Dragpack70 squeeked a full-size GT500 front wheel & tire in the well. See post #40 in this thread: http://www.teamshelby.com/forums/index.php...29264&st=20 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6-Speed Posted October 31, 2008 Report Share Posted October 31, 2008 I posted something on this topic a while back, maybe that was my post? I was going to take a wheel assembly off LuLu and see if it would fit in the tire well. However, I measured first, and abandoned the thought. My measurements indicated that the wheel assembly was 1/2" too large for the tire well. IMHO, it's not a matter of wheel diameter, rather, the height of the tire's sidewall. Something smaller than the stock 235/50-18 may fit and be suitable for temporary (next exit) use. The BFG 235/50-18 was the stock assembly on the '03-'04 Marauders, most of which came with a space saver (donut) spare. It's 18", but won't clear an aftermarket big brake kit. Maybe you can find one on ebay? For the GT500, you get around the front brake fitment issue by putting one of the rear tires on the front and putting the space-saver spare on the rear - again for temporary, short distance and low-speed use to get to the next service station. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mywickedshelby Posted October 31, 2008 Report Share Posted October 31, 2008 for long trips, I like Jim, got a full size duplicate of our stock wheel & tire, I carry it with a low profile jack. My thinking was no one would have a replacement tire that size if I had a tire inceident God knows where, so I carry it with me. When just cruising around local, I dont bother carrying it, I figure I can always phone home for Shelby rescue (my wife) to bring me the tire in a pinch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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