Ford F150 Pickup. Instruction - part 1800

When performing any inspection or repair procedures on wheels (1007/1015) and tires, follow the preceding 
safety precautions. 

WHEELS & TIRES 

Factory-installed tires and wheels are designed to operate satisfactorily with loads up to and including full-rated 
load capacity when inflated to recommended inflation pressures. 

DIAGNOSIS & TESTING 

WHEELS & TIRES 

Special Tool(s) 

vehicle to move.

WARNING:

The tire and wheel must always be correctly matched. It is very important 
to determine the size of each component before any assembly operations 
commence. Failure to adhere to these instructions can result in an 
explosive separation and cause serious bodily injury or death.

WARNING:

Aftermarket aerosol tire sealants are extremely flammable. Always 
question the customer to make sure these products have not been used.

WARNING:

Aftermarket wheel assemblies may not be compatible with the vehicle. 
Use of incompatible wheel assemblies can result in equipment failure and 
possible injury. Use only approved wheel assemblies.

WARNING:

Use only wheels and wheel nuts that have been designed for current 
model year Ford trucks. Aftermarket wheels or wheel nuts may not fit or 
function correctly, and can cause personal injury or damage the vehicle.

CAUTION: Do not clean aluminum wheels with steel wool, abrasive-type cleaners or 

strong detergents. Use Custom Bright Metal Cleaner 8A-19522-A or 
equivalent meeting Ford specifications ESR-M5B194-B.

CAUTION: Reduce the air pressure as much as possible by pushing the valve core 

plunger in prior to removing the valve core. Avoid working in a position in 
which the face or body is directly over a tire in which there is pressure.

WARNING:

Do not mix different types of tires, such as radial, bias, or bias-belted, on 
the same vehicle except in emergencies (temporary spare usage). Vehicle 
handling can be seriously affected and can result in loss of control.

 

2003 Ford Pickup F150 

2003 SUSPENSION Wheels And Tires - F150 Pickup

  

Fig. 4: Identifying Special Tool(s) 
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO. 

Inspection & Verification 

Be sure to follow the warnings when performing inspection and verification. 

Road Test 

Verify the customer concern by performing a road test on a smooth road. If any vibrations are apparent, go to 
NOISE, VIBRATION & HARNESS . 

To maximize tire performance, inspect for signs of incorrect inflation and uneven wear, which may indicate a 
need for balancing, rotation, or front suspension alignment.

WARNING:

A vehicle equipped with a Traction-Lock(R) differential will always have 
both wheels driving. If, while the vehicle is being serviced, only one wheel 
is raised off the floor and the rear axle is driven by the engine, the wheel 
on the floor could drive the vehicle off the stand or jack. Be sure both rear 
wheels are off the floor.

WARNING:

Never run the engine with one wheel off the ground, for example, when 
changing a tire. The wheel(s) resting on the ground could cause the 
vehicle to move.

WARNING:

Do not balance the wheels and tires while they are mounted on the 
vehicle. Possible tire disintegration or differential failure could result, 
causing personal injury and extensive component damage. Use off-
vehicle wheel and tire balancer only.

 

2003 Ford Pickup F150 

2003 SUSPENSION Wheels And Tires - F150 Pickup

  

Correct tire pressure and driving techniques have an important influence on tire life. Heavy cornering, 
excessively rapid acceleration and unnecessary sharp braking increases tire wear. 

Replacement tires must follow the recommended:  

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tire sizes.  

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speed rating.  

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load range.  

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radial construction type.  

Use of any other tire size or type can seriously affect:  

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ride.  

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handling.  

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speedometer/odometer calibration.  

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vehicle ground clearance.  

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tire clearance between the body and chassis.  

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wheel bearing life.  

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brake cooling.  

Wheels need to be installed new when:  

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bent.  

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cracked.  

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dented.  

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heavily rusted.  

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leaking.  

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they have elongated wheel hub bolt holes.  

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they have excessive lateral or radial runout.  

Wheel and tire assemblies are attached by five noncentering wheel nuts. 

It is mandatory to use only the tire sizes recommended on the tire chart attached to the vehicle. Larger or 
smaller tires can damage the vehicle, affect durability, and require changing the speedometer calibration. Make 
sure wheel size and offsets match those recommended for the tire in use. 

1. Inspect for signs of uneven wear that may indicate a need for balancing, rotation, front suspension 

alignment, damaged tie rod, or steering components.  

2. Check tires for: 

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cuts.  

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stone bruises.  

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abrasions  

 

2003 Ford Pickup F150 

2003 SUSPENSION Wheels And Tires - F150 Pickup

  

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blisters.  

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embedded objects.  

3. Tread wear indicators are molded into the bottom of the tread grooves. Install a new tire when the 

indicator bands become visible.  

Symptom Chart 

Symptom Chart 

 

2003 Ford Pickup F150 

2003 SUSPENSION Wheels And Tires - F150 Pickup