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Decided to check the spare on SWMBO's Puma today. Undid the jack and brace from its mounting on nearside rear wing. Undid spare tray, tyre brand new and inflated to 30psi, wound it back up. Tried to replace jack/brace from whence it came - gave up after twenty minutes, what is wrong with these people ? I was on my drive in daylight - What chance on a dark wet/windy night on an unlit minor road. I have sworn myself senseless and chipped all my nails.
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Probably this why Ford have stopped making the Puma.They are being sold of for peanuts in Germany
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I had the same bother with a Mondeo. The jack and brace are now in a bag floating around the boot. I should have taken more notice of their positioning.
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I recall a few years driving overnight to Johannesburg in a Toyota Venture (10 seater vehicle, looks like a delivery van). Had a puncture at about 3am, and pulled over - in the middle of nowhere. The jack wouldn't reach - was about 4 inches too short! Eventually, by the glim of a zippo lighter, we balanced the thing precariously on a pile of paperback books! NOT impressed.
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New Transit - can't remember the model, but LWB. Factory fitted wheels and tyres. The driver brought it back to the yard complaining about problems fitting the spare to o/s/r. We checked it out and found that on a flat concrete surface, using the proper jacking point, the van was raised just high enough to remove a flat tyre - but not high enough to fit an inflated tyre. It's easy if the axle is used as a jacking point, but impossible using the handbook recommended point.
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Ian,
myself and 3 workmates had a similar experience in a brand new Ford Escort. Funnily enough it was on a trip back from Jo'burg to Swakopmund.
Got a flat in the early hours of the morning on a dirt road. Pulled over to fix it and found that there was no jack in the boot.
Luckily it was a rear tyre and three of us could lift that corner while 'little Graham' changed the wheel. Couldn't unclensh my fingers for hours though.
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Andy Bairsto wrote:
> Probably this why Ford have stopped making the Puma.They are being sold of for peanuts in Germany
define 'peanuts' ... just how cheap are they because they are still well overpriced in the UK
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Very commendable, checking the spare. Wonder how many others take the trouble.
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try changing the wheel on a citroen bx. first you have to put the suspension to the highest it will go (with the engine running), then go into the boot and use the wheelbrace to lower the spare wheel carrier thats under the car, remove the spare wheel and jack from under the car, then change the wheel like usual, and do the reverse of what i have just written.
remember that this usually happens in the dark when its raining (you never seem to get a puncture on the afternoon of a nice dry day)
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Incorrect you can change the rear wheels without a jack ,and you do not need the engine running or the suspension in high mode to change the front wheels.Get your facts correct before engaging mouth.
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Andy,
I don't want to get involved with the current LAC thing, but I'm interested about what you say to not needing the jack on the rear- can I do something silimar with my Xantia?
Last time I tried to change a wheel (on SWMBO's Clio), the jack was almost seized closed, ended up with very sore arms. Should take S'b'fasts lead a do a little spare wheel maintenance, nice if I can avoid the jack altogether!
Thanks,
Lee.
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did i say the rear wheels, i just wheels, i didnt say which ones.
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I was doing some Christmas shopping with my better half and her friend in Newcastle. The girl had hit a kerb and buckled the sidewall of one of the tyres on her puma.
It seemed to take little time despite the dark December weather. As for putting the jack back in its hole? Its not rocket science.
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SHMBO is a dab hand at changing wheels, I usually leave it to her.
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LAS
The high suspension setting on the BX makes it much easier in my opinion, because the car lifts its own weight: no grinding knuckles on the ground trying to turn the jack handle. And the BX also has the nut for the spare right behind the boot catch. So you can remove wheel without removing luggage. Very useful in the dark in the rain I would think.
Chris
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but when you think that even on the highest setting, all the wheel are still on the ground, how do you change the wheel when the wheel are still on the ground???
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Ladas,
This system has been around for the best part of fifty years. It's not a problem.
Chris
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Chris,
I'm curious too - can I do this on the Xantia? How do I do it - won'tthe car just fall over? I know you could run a DS on three wheels if you needed to, but didn't realise my car could do the same
Cheers,
Lee.
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Lee
I don't know if it will stand on three wheels - I've never tried it with the BX - although when I recently had to change a rear wheel I noticed the pressure on the jack was negligible. I do know that when I had a puncture on my Pug 309 (also with independent suspension) I found it was standing on three wheels. In fact it handled so well on the motorway at least I didn't pull over until the tyre had been flat for quite a while. This was in a strong crosswind, so I put the slight change down to the weather and rutted road surface. Interesting that Ford is finally going down the "independent" route and claiming it as a big breakthrough.
I guess the answer to whether it will stand on three wheels is down to the balance and weight distribution of the individual car, but the suspension on the BX/Xantia works in more or less the same way as on the DS, so that won't be the issue.
David W where are you?
Chris
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Thanks Chris,
I suppose with me sat in the corner of the car without a wheel, the thing will fall over! :)
I'll wait for DW, hopefully I'll discover another cool feature of the Xantia/BX....
Cheers,
Lee.
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Chris,
If you put any of the Citroens so equipped onto full high position and remove a rear wheel they will stand OK and can be moved round the yard as well.
Or driven at 50mph for a publicity photo if you are very careful and on an airfield!
Reason being due to the suspension being "solid" and the point of balance so far forward (approx under the drivers knees).
David
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Ding!
Instant answer! A cool new trick for the Xantia. Better not try it just yet in these winds however.
Thanks,
Lee.
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Thanks David
Very cool indeed. Now, is it legal? ;-)
Chris
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