New Member with a 2002

[Fantum]

Last month my Wife & I got a 2002 Retro Thunderbird in Whisper White. Sadly a friend passed away over the summer. In conversation with his wife, she mentioned she was going to sell his Tbird in the spring. I asked her to let me know and she offered it to me right then. I knew that my Wife wanted one of the retro Tbirds when they came out in the early 2000s, but we couldn't afford one at the time. My Wife's eyes lit up when I mentioned the possibility and a few days later we took possession . Came with 51,000 miles on it, and we've added several hundred miles on the Phantom already, but we've put it in our garage for the winter. Can't wait for spring!!!

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[biddle]

Plug in an OBDII reader and scan for codes. Replace the spare tire if it is the original or it can explode. Have it put on a rack and check the suspension.

See if the gear shift illuminator works, if not there could be and issue with the FEM.

The car probably rolled off the line 24 years ago so it had some age! Lower miles does not equal mint.

 

[Fantum]

Plug in an OBDII reader and scan for codes. Replace the spare tire if it is the original or it can explode. Have it put on a rack and check the suspension.

See if the gear shift illuminator works, if not there could be and issue with the FEM.

The car probably rolled off the line 24 years ago so it had some age! Lower miles does not equal mint.

I'm on good terms with my local Ford dealer and I had them go over it. Tires are old (not original) and they will be replaced in the spring. Otherwise it checks out fine.

I have no idea about the exploding spare tire. Is a replacement OEM any better? Was there a recall? Please tell me more.

 

[biddle]

I'm on good terms with my local Ford dealer and I had them go over it. Tires are old (not original) and they will be replaced in the spring. Otherwise it checks out fine.

I have no idea about the exploding spare tire. Is a replacement OEM any better? Was there a recall? Please tell me more.

Click the word spare tire or search the forum. You should have your own OBDII reader as a handy tool for all your cars, especially in today's world where there is a shortage of mechanics. I like to keep them honest!

They can miss issues on the Thunderbird, none of the mechanics working there were even trained on them. In fact they probably rarely work on one. Some dealers won't even service them because many parts are discontinued years ago.

 

[ssurfr2819]

Plug in an OBDII reader and scan for codes. Replace the spare tire if it is the original or it can explode. Have it put on a rack and check the suspension.

See if the gear shift illuminator works, if not there could be and issue with the FEM.

The car probably rolled off the line 24 years ago so it had some age! Lower miles does not equal mint.

I hadn't heard about the exploding spare tire. Was that an issue only with 2002? My 2005 spare looks great, and holds pressure. I am not sure if it is original or not.

 

[biddle]

I hadn't heard about the exploding spare tire. Was that an issue only with 2002? My 2005 spare looks great, and holds pressure. I am not sure if it is original or not.

As mentioned above use the search page. There are 25 years worth of posts and information.

S

Thread 'Original Firestone space saver spare tire exploded in trunk'

Nov 5, 2020

Just a reminder why tires need to be replaced by date of manufacture and not tread. My original, never on the car spare tire exploded in my trunk. A new tire was on my list to replace. Guess it just got moved to the top of the list.

• steve_f
• Replies: 20
• Forum: 2002 - 2005 Retro Ford Thunderbird

• 
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[Brenno]

I just got my 02 Tbird this year; spare exploded. What ive been told is the rubber gets stiff and brittle over time. Pressure differences due to temperature and altitude create changing conditions and eventually a fault is created and boom. Car lived at sea level most its life. But now it’s going up and down the mountains of the PNW.

I hadn't heard about the exploding spare tire. Was that an issue only with 2002? My 2005 spare looks great, and holds pressure. I am not sure if it is original or not.

It’s not an issue with a particular car, simply age of any tire. They have expiration dates just like your milk.

 

[ssurfr2819]

I just got my 02 Tbird this year; spare exploded. What ive been told is the rubber gets stiff and brittle over time. Pressure differences due to temperature and altitude create changing conditions and eventually a fault is created and boom. Car lived at sea level most its life. But now it’s going up and down the mountains of the PNW.

It’s not an issue with a particular car, simply age of any tire. They have expiration dates just like your milk.

Call me convinced. Mine appears to be original!

 

[Duncan]

Altitude isn't as much of a problem as temperature. You've got a 60+/- psi tire living in a confined space that can get up to 140+ degrees in hot weather. Add to that the age of the rubber (20+years) and you're living dangerously. And remember there's a relay box sitting just above the spare. Do you feel lucky?

 

[Fantum]

Call me convinced. Mine appears to be original!

Mine too! I knew in the back of my mind that tires had a date of manufacture, but I go through tires often enough that it's never been a problem. Since I just got the Phantom, I knew the tires might be old and they are (2014). However, it never occurred to me to check the spare. Based on this thread I'll draw down the pressure before I even move it, and I'll get it replaced sooner, not later. Thanks all!