Mounting tyres

Know a little bit about the matter, even though we got rid of our Tribute in 2004.

Tributes are known to have transmision failures if one tows anywhere near 1600 Kgs and I advise you to keep the towed weight down to the minimum.

Mazda in spite of many mods failed to solve the problem (and Ford with the escape) and I believe it was one of the reasons they were taken off the market, Second hand prices indicate that this area was a problem.

Our Tribute failed totally at 26,000 kms only 4000 kms of actually towing 1300KGS.

The Ford CD4E transmission is a dog and the matter had wide scope in the USA.

On to reducing the towing weight.

You can fit the standard wheel in the boot of the car, but you need to move the hold down bolt about an inch. In our case we placed another captive nut in the boot floor and sealed the original bolt and hole with sealant.

We made a new 1/4" plywood floor to go under the carpet but the wheel was placed in the wheel upside down.

When we sold the car we unpluged to oriiginal hole, sealed up the new one and put the space saver back in.

If you go to the tribute forum, you will find lots on the two issues I have raised.

Regards

Col

I'd suggest the biggest problem with mounting tyres this close is their age.

Primary age tyres will be quite upset being this close to each other, their biggest fear is catching opposite gender germs.

High School aged tyres will be quite pleased about their intimacy, their biggest concern will be how quickly they can catch opposite gender germs.

Early 20's tyres will have a fear of committment, be prepared to explain to them they are "just friends"

When your tyres reach the 30's they'll be looking forward to "the hum of little tyres" now is the time to tell them it's not all it's cracked up to be.

In the 40's this pair will be keen to be shot of the little tyres. The "hum" has worn very thin.

Now for the 50's, the pair aren't as supple as they used to be. Their compound is getting harder and they quite frankly want to be shot of the little "hums"

In the 60's this pair are heartily fed up with the little "hums" resulting in none to subtle hints relating to sex and travel.

After the 60's the original pair probably can't remember the original question!

Geoff

They are fine together,, In fact, they look very happy together!!! Michael