Has anyone removed the spare tire and noted the chaffing caused by the mounting bracket? My 99 F-150 and our company 98 F-150 both have the same defect.

 

I think that's the nature of the beast. Yes, my spare is marked up also, but I also found that the tire was mounted, in the stowed position, upside down from the factory. The manual says to place the tire inboard side up and then raise it into the stowed position. Yours is probably the same way and thats the reason for the scuff marks. I had to flip it over because I couldn't check the air pressure without lowering it.

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'97 F-250 L/D Lariat S/C, 4x4, 5.4, E4OD automatic, 3.73 gears, 4 wh. ABS and 4 wh. disk brakes, gray leather interior,keyless entry w/alarm, outside: white w/gray rocker section, sliding rear window, tow package. Mods- Ford running boards, Ford ventsahdes, Color-matched bug deflector, AVS tail light covers, Tuff Liner bed liner, unknown brand of cat-back exhaust system (previous owner installed).