Tire Repair for Your 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac

City populations are exploding. New roads and buildings are springing up. It seems construction is everywhere these days! That means more tire-damaging road debris and flat tires. If the road has been rough on your 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac tires, Firestone Complete Auto Care can help. There’s a chance your tire could be plugged and patched (rather than replaced). Our technicians can inspect your tire and let you know if it is safe to repair. To start, we’ll consider the location of tire damage, the type of issue, the size and scope of the damage, and the amount of wear on your tires.

If your 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac tire puncture can be repaired, we'll follow three basic steps to repair it: (1) Take the tire off the wheel for easy inspection, (2) fill the puncture to keep the moisture out, and (3) secure and seal the inner tire liner to ensure the tire is airtight.

Not all 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac tire damage can be repaired. Tires with less than 2/32nd inch tread remaining can't be repaired, no matter how minor the damage. Tires with this tread depth or less are no longer safe, so it’s time to replace the damaged tire. Some tire issues are easy and straightforward to repair, but other kinds of tire damage can’t be properly repaired. Tire damage that can’t be repaired effectively include a puncture in the tire that is ¼ inch or greater in diameter; a tire with a puncture or damage outside the tread area; a tire with two or more punctures that are less than 16 inches away from each other; and a tire with cuts or tread separation.

When your damaged tire can’t be repaired, consult Ford’s recommendations for replacing one, two, or all four of your tires. For vehicles with AWD, manufacturers recommend replacing all four tires simultaneously. This is because the AWD system can only function optimally when all tires are uniform. Just replaced your tires and only one is damaged? You may not need to buy another new full set after all. If you can replace your damaged tire with the same type, brand, and size as the others, you may be able to save costs and only purchase one replacement. Your tire technician can help you decide how many tires to replace and the kind of tire to purchase.

A flat tire is a surefire sign of tire damage, but other indicators of tire issues aren’t so easy to spot. Tire damage can also show itself through subtle symptoms, like dents in your wheel rims, excessive noise coming from the exhaust system, bumps or bulges in tire sidewalls, or even leaks underneath the car. Bring your 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac in for a tire inspection so we can assess the damage and help keep you safe on the road.