2003-04 Mach 1 Registry Owners Club  


Go Back   2003-04 Mach 1 Registry Owners Club > General Discussions > General Registry Discussion

General Registry Discussion Topics of Interest (Mach 1 Related or otherwise) for discussions that don't fit other forums.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 07-31-2003, 12:23 AM   #1
Tanklawyer
Long Live Mach
 
Tanklawyer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Chevy Chase, MD
Posts: 413
Reflections on Changing a Flat Tire

Well, had my first flat with my Mach last night. Picked up a really impressive piece of bent steel wire in my right rear tire -- went in and out again, and was still sticking out of the rubber.

Anyway, a couple of thoughts on my first late model Mustang flat. If you haven't had one, bear these things in mind. Not that there were any problems, but just a couple of annoyances. First, the handle on the jack is just plain stupid. Instead of the normal z-shaped handle that allows you to turn the thing easily, the jack handle is straight, and hinged where it joins the jack itself. So, you have to keep it at an angle (maybe 45 degrees) to turn it, which means you'll bump into the rocker panels if you're not careful. To make matters worse, the handle has a large washer welded on to it, which is used to hold the jack into the car when not in use. This stupid washer is situated on the handle in just the right spot so that if you position the jack on the recommended lifting point on the chassis, it makes it even harder to avoid the rocker panels, and also makes a nice convenient device to scratch said panels. I figured this out after the first turn, after adding a nice scratch. :!!:

My second gripe was the lug nut wrench. It's long so that you can get some leverage (I guess the grannies need a LOT of leverage), but so long that you can't turn it 360 degrees. So, for the first several turns, you have to keep removing it and putting it back on again, and since that part of the wheel is painted, you have to be really careful (I was -- no chips). However, it was just a freakin' pain in the butt. I'm sure the wrench is just right for an Explorer or Expedition.

Anyway, I've changed a lot of tires in my day (used to carry two spares in my old Jeep, which got plenty of abuse), and this was certainly the most annoying experience, thanks to some silly design choices.

Oh, and the new tire will be $200.

But at least the guys at the Goodyear center LOVED the Mach 1. :THUMBSUP:
__________________
Bill S.

2003 Mach 1 (Torch Red 5-sp with IUP)
VIN #344918
Built 11/12/02
Delivered 12/3/02
Sold 3/13/06
Tanklawyer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-31-2003, 12:45 AM   #2
hotrodnut
Mach 1 Hot Rod Nut
 
hotrodnut's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: North Florida
Posts: 907
Sorry about the flat tire.

I hope it doesn't happen but thanks for the tips if it does. :THUMBSUP:
hotrodnut is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-31-2003, 12:53 AM   #3
Verk
Registered User
 
Verk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Aledo, Texas (just West of Fort Worth)
Posts: 746
Re: Reflections on Changing a Flat Tire

I liked the fact that my C5 Corvette had run flat tires. I guess you could put run flats on the Mach 1 but, without a tire pressure monitoring system, you might never know you had a flat.

I had a couple on my Vette and the DIC would alert you to the fact that you had a flat on a particular tire. I was unable to really tell driving the car that I had a flat tire. Anyway, thanks for passing along the info. :THUMBSUP:
__________________
Verk
1980 Mustang LX
1997 Mustang GT
1997 Mustang Cobra
1999 C5 Corvette
2003 Mustang Mach 1
Azure Blue (L5), 5-speed, IUP
VIN # 1FAFP42R83F34490
Ordered - 9 Aug. 2002
Built 14 November 2002
Delivered - 6 Dec. 2002
Verk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-31-2003, 07:43 AM   #4
GR8 WYT
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Hughesville, Maryland
Posts: 594
Tank,
Man, you have ALL the bad luck...when we gonna do some lunch? Gimme a call tomorrow (Thursday) if you still have my number...
GR8 WYT is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-31-2003, 07:44 AM   #5
GR8 WYT
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Hughesville, Maryland
Posts: 594
Tank,
We'll go to Morton's Cajun Rib-eye is AWESOME...I'll expense it as a new prospect!
GR8 WYT is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-31-2003, 07:55 AM   #6
falcongtho3
Moderating at Mach 1
 
falcongtho3's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Baton Rouge, La.
Posts: 16,267
A $10 4-way lug wrench may sound old fashion, but it's worth it. Especially if you don't let it (or the trunk net) go with the trade in...:THUMBSUP:
__________________
Krewe de la Mach Rouge

#340804 13th Mach 1 built
11/07/02 Build Date
12/13/02 Delivery
falcongtho3 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-31-2003, 12:24 PM   #7
The Judge
Guest
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Milan, NM
Posts: 30
Why are you changing your flat tire? Your Mach 1 came with 36 month, 36,000 mile road side assistance. All you is call 1800241FORD. Just Curious.
The Judge is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-01-2003, 07:16 AM   #8
69mach03
Modular Enthusiast
 
69mach03's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Georgetown, DE
Posts: 1,786
Thumbs down

Quote:
Originally posted by falcongtho3
A $10 4-way lug wrench may sound old fashion, but it's worth it. Especially if you don't let it (or the trunk net) go with the trade in...:THUMBSUP:
A long socket and a decent socket wrench is what you need. Bare metal all around the lugs isn't very attractive.
__________________
1994 Crystal White SVT Cobra (11.35 @ 117) - 1.54 - 2960 lbs
Stock 5.0 shortblock, AFR 165, AFM N41, Edelbrock Performer RPM Air-Gap, Holley HP 750
PA C-4, ATI 8" Converter, Team Z K-Member, 4.10s, Slicks, S&W Chromoly 8-pt
2002 HD F150 - Daily Driver / Tow Vehicle - 14.20 @ 95 - 5495 lbs
69mach03 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-01-2003, 07:50 AM   #9
Mikestang
Parrot Head
 
Mikestang's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: H204D,NY AMERICA F YEA !
Posts: 4,894
Quote:
Originally posted by The Judge
Why are you changing your flat tire? Your Mach 1 came with 36 month, 36,000 mile road side assistance. All you is call 1800241FORD. Just Curious.

And wait how long???
__________________
Mikestang
03 MACH1 Torch Red #274 Built 11/14/02 Home 12/07/02 Payed off 09/17/07 MRT powershift, W\Hurst T-handle, Painted hood stripe, AFS 10.5 and 9.0 Crome Mach 1Wheels, Ford GT Coil Covers.
"If She had a set a wings, Man I know She could fly "
2011 Kona Blue Metalic Mustang GT Premium 5.0 Rolling on 19s
"2011 Will Be Known As The Year They Perfected The Mustang "
06 Victory Kingpin With more mods than I can list
http://home.roadrunner.com/~crazyhorse/
Mikestang is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-01-2003, 11:41 AM   #10
Five Oh B
Two-Time Mach 1 Owner
 
Five Oh B's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Kent, WA
Posts: 1,385
Last time I used Ford's 1-800-241-FORD roadside assistance it took 30 minutes for them to arrive - not too bad. It was for a lock out. I actually don't mind changing my own tire, but certainly don't want to have another. Come to think about it, the last flat tire I ever had was in my Mach 1 back in 1983 or so.

For my '00 GT, I ditched the factory jack and bought a small hydraulic bottle jack and 4-way lug wrench. Way better than the factory stuff. I remove my wheels often to clean the back sides (hard to clean when still on the car due to the brakes).
__________________
Current Mustang: 2014 GT Glass Roof Coupe - Ruby Red with 6R80 trans.
Prior Mustangs: '03 Mach 1, Azure Blue 5-speed w/ IUP, '11 Brembo GT, '07 GT with Vortech S-Trim, '00 Spring Feature GT coupe, '89 LX 5.0 Sport, '88 LX, & '75 Mach 1.
Prior Thunderbirds: 1993 LX Sport 5.0L, 1990 LX, 1988 Turbo Coupe.
Five Oh B is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-01-2003, 04:50 PM   #11
1mach03
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: san bernardino,california
Posts: 903
Sorry to hear about your tire. I too was shocked when on the hot rod power tour I woke up to a flat tire. A nice big juicy bolt right thru the tire. I just called triple aaa and I had them change my tire then I drove to a place to get it fixed. The guy was real careful with my mach, no scratches. It did cost me half a day out on the beach waiting for my tire to be fixed. This is the second time Ive had a flat in my mach 1. april the vettelady.
__________________
april zavela
1mach03 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-01-2003, 11:16 PM   #12
Tanklawyer
Long Live Mach
 
Tanklawyer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Chevy Chase, MD
Posts: 413
Changed the puppy myself because I was already late in getting home to pick up the kids, didn't want to wait for the roadside assistance, and heck, I like monkeying around with the car!

I totally agree on the four-way lug wrench. That's what I carried in my old Jeep. Gotta dig it out.

In any event, I got the new tire put on at the local Goodyear center. No scratches on the rim, and they put it on the car for no extra charge. Best of all, the guys in the service bay LOVED the Mach 1. They thanked me for bringing it in to their shop, asked me to pop the hood, wanted to know all about the 4.6 4-V and the shaker. They just loved it. Me too!

:THUMBSUP:
__________________
Bill S.

2003 Mach 1 (Torch Red 5-sp with IUP)
VIN #344918
Built 11/12/02
Delivered 12/3/02
Sold 3/13/06
Tanklawyer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-04-2003, 01:33 AM   #13
305PNYS
Registered User
 
305PNYS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: SF Bay Area CA
Posts: 378
Quote:
Originally posted by Mikestang
And wait how long???
OK, this was actually funny, after everything was ok. I got a blowout, (complete outer sidewall separation freakin FIRESTONES!) on my 2001 F-250 on a somewhat desolate freeway the other day. I called Ford roadside assis. They had a tow-truck out to me in 10 minutes, I s**t you not.
The funny thing was, I ASSUMED the tow truck driver knew how to change a flat. I helped him locate the tools on the radiator (about 150 degrees hot). He turned and banged, trying to get the spare down. He read and re-read the manual. Then he left me, promising to send another driver. I read the freakin manual, then located the "key" to unlock the spare, then assisted the CHP truck who stopped to help me. Then F.R.A. called me twice to find out where the heck I was. I told them not to charge me ($70 as my warranty had just expired) because they sent someone who couldn't change a freakin tire! They charged me anyway. So much for being impressed with their speed LOL!

Cheryl
__________________
I soo LOVE this CAR!

Mine: The Mach 1
His: 2001 F-250 Super-duty Crew-Cab----The Ultimate road trip family vehicle.
2003 Jeep Rubicon Tomb Raider Ltd Ed. #168/1000----Used mainly for Off-road trails, like the Rubicon Trail
305PNYS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-04-2003, 11:29 PM   #14
enforcerfour
Saleen Killa
 
enforcerfour's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Franklin, NC
Posts: 58
Changing a flat on the mach 1 is a pain. I had one about two weeks ago while I was at the lake. I had a ride hom so I didn't put the spare tire on but it was still a pain to change for all the above mentioned reasons.
__________________
03 Mach1
91 GMC Syclone
70 Dodge Challenger T/A
enforcerfour is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-11-2003, 12:00 AM   #15
Plyprowler
Registered User
 
Plyprowler's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Pittston, Pa
Posts: 25
I was riding along at about 70 when I heard a loud pop. I heard a loud noise and actually thought I had blown the muffler off the car because it was going straight. It was when I pulled off to the side of the rode when I felt the fishtailing. It seemed that one of the day's construction workers left behind a tool that went into my tire and blew out the sidewall. Since it was night-time and I was in a bad spot I changed the tire myself and the jack did suck big time. To be truthful it was the first time I ever changed a tire and I really didn't even think to call the RSA. Thinking back I don't think I'd want someone else working that jack around my paint...
__________________
Azure Blue 5 Speed IUP
Garmin Street Pilot III GPS Color
Black Window Tint
MGW Black anodized License Plate Frame

Trying to decide on exhaust upgrade

1999 Black Plymouth Prowler
Plyprowler is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-09-2017, 12:45 AM   #16
fomoco69
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Roseville , California
Posts: 163
Re: Reflections on Changing a Flat Tire

Quote:
Originally Posted by Five Oh B View Post
Last time I used Ford's 1-800-241-FORD roadside assistance it took 30 minutes for them to arrive - not too bad. It was for a lock out. I actually don't mind changing my own tire, but certainly don't want to have another. Come to think about it, the last flat tire I ever had was in my Mach 1 back in 1983 or so.

For my '00 GT, I ditched the factory jack and bought a small hydraulic bottle jack and 4-way lug wrench. Way better than the factory stuff. I remove my wheels often to clean the back sides (hard to clean when still on the car due to the brakes).
Yes.......need low profile jack....not much room to work
fomoco69 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-09-2017, 01:53 AM   #17
32VALVR
Registered Mach Abuser
 
32VALVR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: SoCal
Posts: 1,695
Re: Reflections on Changing a Flat Tire

You definitely get the award for the OLDEST THREAD reborn.
__________________
04 O/W 5sp with Kenne Bell 2.1 intercooled kit@ 10lbs.
32VALVR is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-09-2017, 04:19 PM   #18
Big Ron
Original 03 TR Owner
 
Big Ron's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Waco, TX
Posts: 2,860
Re: Reflections on Changing a Flat Tire

Sometimes it's just good to relax and take a trip down memory lane.
__________________
Big Ron


Original Owner
2003 Torch Red Mach 1 Automatic w/IUP
VIN: 1FAFP42R93F396607
Built: 2/28/03 - Bought: 4/07/03 w/8 miles
Build #: 2461 of 9652 (1 of 460 in Torch Red w/auto & IUP)
Best Mach 1 Engine Award: 2006 & 2013 @ Bullitt / Mach 1 Shootout
Class Winner 1999 - 2004: 2011 FFW @ Texas Motorplex
Big Ron is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-10-2017, 12:07 AM   #19
jbrad88
Original Owner
 
jbrad88's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 5,172
Re: Reflections on Changing a Flat Tire

That's funny. Just read the date on the original post...LOL....
__________________
JB

03 Torch Red Mach 1
21 FJG Mach 1


Stainless Steel Systems Adrenaline Series
BBK long tube headers catted x pipe
18x9 18x10- Solid Gloss Black FR5's
Nitto 555 g2 275/35r18's 285/35r18
MGW Shifter With Mach1 Shift Knob
4.10's & 31 spline Mosers and 31 Spline Posi
Steeda Sport Springs Tokiko Illuminas
J@M weight Jacker LCA's
J@M Rear UCA's
J@M Braided steel brake lines
Eibach Sway Bars
jbrad88 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-21-2017, 09:30 AM   #20
FordMan
I Am Cornholio!!!
 
FordMan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Republic of Texas
Posts: 3,745
Re: Reflections on Changing a Flat Tire

Quote:
Originally Posted by fomoco69 View Post
Yes.......need low profile jack....not much room to work
Quote:
Originally Posted by 32VALVR View Post
You definitely get the award for the OLDEST THREAD reborn.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Big Ron View Post
Sometimes it's just good to relax and take a trip down memory lane.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jbrad88 View Post
That's funny. Just read the date on the original post...LOL....

Grave diggers For The Win!
__________________
Black 03 5spd w/ IUP
Born on 02/25/2003 (thanks Donna)
Left home and moved onward 12/19/22
FordMan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-21-2017, 09:29 PM   #21
03Shadow Grey
Registered User
 
03Shadow Grey's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Theodore Alabama
Posts: 282
Re: Reflections on Changing a Flat Tire

I'm sorry but I have to do this !

My Jack was hard to use,..boo,hoo,hoo,sniff

I'll be needing that man card back ,thank you
03Shadow Grey is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:59 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
(c) 2002-2013 Mach1Registry.com

<