How do you do ...tire rotation?

[visionguru]

I have

• 3 ton Craftsman floor jack
• 2 2-ton jack stands
• 2 3-ton jack stands
• Ingersoll-Rand W5132 cordless impact

I have tried the following through the years:
(1) Lift the front, put 2-ton jack stands on. When I tried to raise the rear and put jack stands on, I don't seem to have enough height to put the 3-ton jack stands in. Plus, there were some noise and slight movement got me concerned. I gave up.

(2) After lift the front on jack stands, I tried to lift one of of the rear wheel with scissor jack. The car is way off balance. Just when I was switching the wheels, the scissor jack fell, rotor hit the ground. I think it damaged my rear sway bar links.

I since have to do tire rotation with the spare tire, one wheel at a time. It's rather tedious, somehow.
I'd love to learn from you guys. I don't like using the floor jack to jack up one wheel. Any suggestions of a compact jack that can facilitate tire rotation?

Thanks!

 

[gdocktor3]

Please be careful... Just watch the first video https://www.google.com/webhp?source...=2&ie=UTF-8#q=how+to+do+tire+rotation&tbm=vid

Its hard to say exactly because you didn't mention the vehicle in question or if jack is standard or low profile, but if you don't have enough jack lift to fit the jack stands in, you wouldn't want a compact jack. You'd want a larger jack.

 

[anndel]

Try the 3 ton jack stands in the front and the 2 ton stands in the rear. I use a Hein Werner (HW) 2 T floor jack, lift the front 1st and stick 6 ton jack stands (HW), then lift the rear and use 2-3 ton stands (HW). I'm just guessing thinking more weight in in the front due to the engine but I know I'm wrong. When lifting the rear when the front is already on the stands, most or all of the vehicle weight is now on 3 points, the front jack stands and floor jack.

If you're not comfortable, pay a shop to do it. I buy my tires from Costco so rotations/balancing are free for the life of the tires.

Good luck and be careful.

 

[JJThrasher]

Lift one end up pop the stands under. Pull the jack to the other end and pick that end up. Tripod it. No concern of the jack collapsing as you shouldn't be under the vehicle for a rotation. Quickest and easiest way to do it with what you have. Safest way is to go pay a shop the $20 or buy your tires somewhere that gives free rotations.

 

[WWheeler]

I spend the $20 to get my local tire shop to do it. Some jobs just aren't worth the time/effort/risk for me to do myself. They do want $10 more if they have to reset a TPMS but I'll do that part myself.

 

[[memphis]]

The best bet would be to get a FARM ALL Jack or Hi-Lift, that way you can jack the car up by the fender and don't have to worry about the jack kicking out. If you use that block they give you for the base of the jack in the fender it will prevent it from crinkling. The Hi-Lift or a FARM ALL is safer because the ratcheting pins lock into place and will prevent the jack from falling. Much safer than a 3t hydraulic jack!

 

[454ragtop]

I jack from the side, and switch the tires front to back only. Between directional tires, and they used to say don't swap radial tires side to side, I'm comfortable doing it this way. Apparently now swapping radials side to side is recommended as OK, but it seems swapping the drive tires with the steering tires on the same side seems to give excellent results for me. Also. if your jack is one of those little trolley jacks, probably need to upgrade to a real jack.

 

[d.mcfarland]

Took it to the dealer just today. $15. Can't beat it in my opinion.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

I have

• 3 ton Craftsman floor jack
• 2 2-ton jack stands
• 2 3-ton jack stands
• Ingersoll-Rand W5132 cordless impact

I have tried the following through the years:


I since have to do tire rotation with the spare tire, one wheel at a time. It's rather tedious, somehow. But far safer
I'd love to learn from you guys. I believe Your own experience should have taught You somethig I don't like using the floor jack to jack up one wheel.Why Any suggestions of a compact jack that can facilitate tire rotation?Do You mean complicate? I suggest using Your current floor jack and doing one wheel at a time.


Thanks!

Too much weight shifting around, pivot points on jack stands, chance of pushing or pulling too much when changing wheels..

 

[Commendatore]

Sell whatever you have and buy a 90s Volkswagen. You can lift half the car from the front jack point. Problem solved!

 

[Al Borland]

Safest way is to roll the car over on it's roof. Then, there are no jackstands to worry about.
Perhaps do one side of the car at a time instead of trying to take all 4 tires off at once. Swap one side front-to-back and then the other.

 

[tvtaurus]

How to jack up your car without jacking up your car:

For tire rotations, it is easier to lift one side at a time jacking by the pinch welds.

 

[M6erfan]

Discount Tire does rotations for free, just sayin...

 

[cnk]

I used to jack one side and do front to rear. Then jack the front and do side to side. All my previous cars have had at least a center front jack point.

I use a QuickJack now so the entire car goes up in the air which makes life a lot easier.

 

[Ericgst]

I only swap front to back on the same side. I do have multiple jacks, but never really use more than one.

For my cars, I use a single 2.5T low profile Torin Aluminum/Steel floor jack that I have had for more than 15 years. I jack the entire side up from the front jack support until the rear wheel is off the ground. Then impact off the nuts from both front and rear, swap, impact back on and lower the side. Takes no time at all, the cars are plenty stable and I never am under it.

For my truck I lift the rear by the diff, place two stands under the axle housing on each side to support the entire rear end, move the jack to one front side and swap front to rear. Then move the jack to the other side and finish up.

 

[BillK]

I buy my tires from a local tire store that gives free lifetime balance and rotate. They are about a block from my Wife's work and she actually dropped the Tahoe off this morning to have it done and picked it up after work.

Simple and easy

 

[shockwave]

Just take it to where you bought tires most places included free rotation and balance and brake check

 

[tvtaurus]

Discount Tire does rotations for free, just sayin...

Well I did use to take my car to Tire discounters for the rotations until they made me wait over an hour for something that I made an appointment for. Still salty about the thing. It is really just a bad location that I won't set foot back in. Now I just rotate my own tires.

 

[97nismo]

If rotating tires is this much of a hassle then maybe you should take it to a shop

Most places do not charge that much and do free inspections too!

 

[tonyciambrone]

wat am I reading rite naow I don't even kno/?

 

[mbshop]

Do what the car manufacturer suggests. As how to do it, take it someplace that can do it safely if you are unable to do so. I deal with one tire shop and they do evefything for me including my tire pressure when I ask.

 

[tonyciambrone]

I have

• 3 ton Craftsman floor jack
• 2 2-ton jack stands
• 2 3-ton jack stands
• Ingersoll-Rand W5132 cordless impact

I have tried the following through the years:
(1) Lift the front, put 2-ton jack stands on. When I tried to raise the rear and put jack stands on, I don't seem to have enough height to put the 3-ton jack stands in. Plus, there were some noise and slight movement got me concerned. I gave up.

(2) After lift the front on jack stands, I tried to lift one of of the rear wheel with scissor jack. The car is way off balance. Just when I was switching the wheels, the scissor jack fell, rotor hit the ground. I think it damaged my rear sway bar links.

I since have to do tire rotation with the spare tire, one wheel at a time. It's rather tedious, somehow.
I'd love to learn from you guys. I don't like using the floor jack to jack up one wheel. Any suggestions of a compact jack that can facilitate tire rotation?

Thanks!

I see now that you are local- PM me if you like, I'd be happy to help you jack your car up sometime.

 

[oldrockhead]

The best bet would be to get a FARM ALL Jack or Hi-Lift, that way you can jack the car up by the fender and don't have to worry about the jack kicking out. If you use that block they give you for the base of the jack in the fender it will prevent it from crinkling. The Hi-Lift or a FARM ALL is safer because the ratcheting pins lock into place and will prevent the jack from falling. Much safer than a 3t hydraulic jack!

I hope that this advice is your idea of a sick joke. I think you're supposed to use some of those little cartoon faces when you're attempting to be sarcastic or funny.

 

[rambo19]

Must admit, I never rotate my tyres.
I drive a fwd mondeo, the rears last forever and the fronts wear evenly.

 

[d.mcfarland]

^^ Something doesn't add up. That's like saying I never buy tires because the originals are still brand new.

 

[oldrockhead]

I have

• 3 ton Craftsman floor jack
• 2 2-ton jack stands
• 2 3-ton jack stands
• Ingersoll-Rand W5132 cordless impact

I have tried the following through the years:
(1) Lift the front, put 2-ton jack stands on. When I tried to raise the rear and put jack stands on, I don't seem to have enough height to put the 3-ton jack stands in. Plus, there were some noise and slight movement got me concerned. I gave up.

(2) After lift the front on jack stands, I tried to lift one of of the rear wheel with scissor jack. The car is way off balance. Just when I was switching the wheels, the scissor jack fell, rotor hit the ground. I think it damaged my rear sway bar links.

I since have to do tire rotation with the spare tire, one wheel at a time. It's rather tedious, somehow.
I'd love to learn from you guys. I don't like using the floor jack to jack up one wheel. Any suggestions of a compact jack that can facilitate tire rotation?

Thanks!

You can only change one tire at a time. The spare tire method works for me

 

[sucking chest wound]

This problem is simple to solve.. don't rotate your tires.

I don't rotate my tires and they are fine. I do almost all basic service on my vehicles myself. If I happen to be at a dealer for something, and they rotate the tires, that's okay I guess. Otherwise, the tires stay where they are.

Tire rotation is almost unheard of in Europe.

 

[AndyCBR]

I change oil every 5k and cross rotate F-R while the vehicle is up on the stands.

I get quite a bit more life out of the tires and never need to rebalance either. By the time the tires go out of balance from uneven wear they are down to the wear bars.

Everybody does something different but I find it is quicker for me to do this service 3x a year or so rather than make an appointment and get a ride to and from, etc. to get a shop to do it.

 

[jwvess00]

Is the problem that the jack won't lift it high enough for the 3-ton stands to fit in the back with it on the 2 ton stands on the front, or that it won't lift it high enough to get the wheels of the ground at all? My first thought was to just get a second pair of 2-ton jack stands, and put the whole car up on those as long as the jack will lift the back high enough to let you do that.

If the jack won't lift quite high enough for lifting the back and setting jack stands in place when the front is on stands, I usually just put a scrap piece of 2x4 laid flat between the jack pad and the rear differential (for instance). That gives another 1.5" of lifting height. I've done this on cars as heavy as my Outback (just under 4000 lbs.) without any concerns, though I'd probably not do this on a big truck.

If the concern is working on the car with it on stands on all four corners, then don't do that. I've worked on my cars plenty of times with it on stands on all four corners and it's never worried me, but if anything makes you nervous for safety, STOP and figure out what you need to do to be comfortable with the work before going on.