How do you jack-up a Ford Expedition to change a flat tire?

Answer 1

Answer

Make sure that the vehicle is on a level, hard surface safely clear of traffic, the parking brake is set, and the gear selector is in Park. Lower the spare tire and make sure that it is properly inflated before you begin jacking the vehicle. Pry off the trim cover from the wheel you're going to raise, and loosen each lug nut one full turn before you begin jacking the vehicle.

The diagram included with the vehicle shows the approved rear jacking points are the rear axle tubes, as far away from the center of the axle as you can position the jack. Make sure that the slightly curved plate on the top of the jack is aligned with the curve of the axle tube as you raise the jack by turning the yellow knob. You'll need to remove the plastic sleeve from the tip of the lug wrench, in order to insert the tip of the wrench into the center of the yellow screw, once it becomes too difficult to turn by hand.

The designated front jacking points are shown to be the bottom of the frame, at the point just in front of the front wheel at the highest point of the frame's upward curve. These don't work, because the included jack at full extension is too short to even reach those points, much less to lift the tire clear of the pavement. Do not place the jack under the V-shaped control arm that extends from the frame to the wheel, either, because the angle of the control arm will change as it is raised, and this could destabilize the jack, causing the vehicle to fall off the jack and risking damage, serious injury or death.

Instead of using the points shown on the diagram, position the jack beneath the front crossmember of the frame, as close as possible to the corner where the crossmember is welded to the side rail of the frame. You will need to reach beneath the vehicle in order to operate the jack, but to avoid the danger of serious injury or death, you should never place any part of your body beneath the vehicle once it has been raised and the tire removed, until the new tire is securely installed.

To install the spare tire, you may need to raise the vehicle a little higher than was necessary to remove the flat tire. After you install the spare tire, tighten the lug nuts using the wrench until they are fully seated. Then lower the vehicle to the ground, remove the jack, and tighten the lug nuts again before replacing the trim cover.