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i had to use my spare tire and mini-jack a few weeks ago for the first time ever. funny thing is, i was so proud...
from the time i backed my car onto the cement and shut it off, i was done with the emergency tire replacement, and starting my car to rush to Discount Tire.... in 17 minutes! how about that? not bad huh?
my PROBLEM is... how in the hell do i get the jack into its original position, mounted with the small L-bolt, under the spare tire? i know, ALOT of you are laughing and making fun, but COME ON ! i tried for over 30 minutes to get them back where they belong, before getting pissed off and giving up.
if ANYONE out here hasn't removed their jack, please go take a picture of how it sits, as is. now. i simply cant figure it out! i dont remember how it was sitting, and i cant seem to just "make it work."
(if it makes any difference, my car is a 2000 Contour SE V-6/auto)
"I wish my CONTOUR had twin turbos"
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Joined: Jun 2000
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OK this is just from memory but: The stupid jack will only go in adjusted one way, with a bit of variation. The jack has to be screwed in so the hole in the handle is just past the middle of the jack when the handle is folded down so the washer welded to the handle appears flat! (the handle flipped/turned around to the other side makes the welded on washer stick up at an angle) Memory says something is in the way to have the welded on washer on the handle perfectly centered, it has to be screwed a bit past center. the jack holddown screw is screwed in the hole that is off center... the spare tire screw goes in the hole that is centered and the off set of the jack handle screwdown washer may be to get the opening for the spares screw in place....
One beat'99 Tropic Green SVT
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Joined: Jan 2001
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This assumes you have the same scissor'type jack on my 1998.0 SVT: You should see a pair of triangles stamped into the side of the jack at one of the pivot points. You need to extend the jack a bit from its fully collapsed position so that these arrows point to one another. Next, fold the jack handle down across the jack so the washer welded onto the handle is on top and situated over the center of the jack (with the jack laying on its side). I can't go further without looking at the car... And I biked in to work today. But if yours is like mine, I strongly suspect there's a jack-shaped indentation in the padding on the floor of the spare wheel recess. If so, put the jack in the indentation, tighten up the L-bolt, and then the spare should fit over it. Good luck!!! 
//> //> //> //> //> Garrick Silver E0, #3895 of 6535, built 10/2/97 She's stock. Why mess with a good thing? 
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Joined: Apr 2001
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Hey man dont beat you self up over this I would have to admit last year about this time I blew a tire and did the same thing. Changed the tire and through the jack in the trunk the next day I tried to get it back in there and was ready to pitch the damn thing. One suggestion I have is looking in the owners manual. I believe there is an illustration on how to put it back in there. Pretty sure that is what got me through this.Good luck.
98 Contour SE Sport
Loaded, leather, manual
Sony Xplod CD player
KKM Induction Kit
SVT Exhaust
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I spent about a 1/2 hour the first time too. Darned Ford engineers.
Tropic Green '00 SVT
#665 of 2150
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believe me! i checked the owners manula already. it had general instructions that apply to every car on the planet that carries a scissor jack and mini-spare.
and, i did look for the indentation on the padding. i will look harder though; i do remember my girlfriend coming outside, interrupting my concentration.
"I wish my CONTOUR had twin turbos"
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Joined: Feb 2001
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Changed the tire on a friend's Volvo a few months ago (full sized spare).
I got so frustrated with the jack and tire that I just threw it in the trunk and told her to have the dealership put it back in place.
Maybe that's why Ford bought 'em?
P.M. Summer -- simul justus et peccator
2000 SVTour Silver Frost 374/2150 -- #9669 of 11445 total run
Blaupunkt Heidelberg with A08 Changer and RC-09 remote, Boston Acoustics, K&N, Mobil 1 and Cobra R Mobil 1 "Factory Fill" plate, 35% metallicized tint, high beams in the lows, Bill Jenkins' "off color" floor mats, and custom "koozie" cupholder (pics soon!)
96 Sable ZZZ (wife's)
Historic Ownership:
42 Dodge Powerwagon Munitions Carrier, 59 Morris Minor, 64 TBird, 69 BMW 2002 Blue Dot, 72 German Ford Mk I Capri V6, 76 Honda Accord, 82 VW Scirocco, 88 VW Jetta, 91 Ford Escort GT, 98 Countour SE Sport V6 ATX
Cars I want:
Lotus Elan S2, Austin Healy Sprite Mk I, my old BMW 2002 back.
If you think this sig is long, you oughta see my undergraduate transcripts!
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Joined: Jun 2000
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My jack is in a fleather (Fake leather, Ford leather) bag that's strapped to the spare tire well. Should mine be under the spare also?
-98 mistake LS
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Stevers,
You're not alone there. That cheap bag holds my jack and lug wrench and has two velcro straps that secure it. It is below and little left of the trunk release mechanism. Also, there are two foam blocks glued to the floor and the bag rests on one of them!?! What the other one is for is beyond my comprehension.
Also, I found one allen wrench sealed in a small bag down there. Any one know what it is for?
Jim
98 EO CSVT #761
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Joined: Jun 2000
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I had a Mystique 96 LS and that car had the jack in a bag. The SVT I now own has the jack under the spare. Both jacks suck... get a REAL jack for under $30
One beat'99 Tropic Green SVT
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