DIY Tire Rotation Question.

[DocTwinkie]

Doing my first oil change and tire rotation. Oil change I’m fine with. Tire rotation I’m curious how folks do it considering the suspension travel.

I have a JLUR. Is the stock jack enough to get the wheel off the ground? Do people jack stand the whole car up or do a wheel at a time? I haven’t checked the manual yet but supposing then jack points will be on the frame.
Just curious for any pointers. Thanks in advance.

Sponsored

 

[limeade]

Don't try to lift the frame with the stock jack, you'll never get enough lift out of the jack unless you use some wood for cribbing. I'd put the stock jack under an axle tube as near to the wheel/tire you want to remove first.

I hope you have some jack stands???? If not, remove the tire off the rear carrier and then proceed to the tire location you are swapping the spare with. R&R that wheel/tire and then move onto the next. That is going to be a lot of work, but you'll get it done.

I use four 6 ton jack stands and 1 hydraulic floor jack. I lift the rear by placing the jack under the pumpkin, lifting it until the tires are off the ground, and then support the axle with two jack stands. Then I lift the front (usually under the pumpkin and then again at some point near the FAD) and support with two jack stands. I can then do a five tire rotation pretty quickly.

If you don't have a battery or air powered impact wrench, ensure you loosen the lug nuts BEFORE lifting that wheel of the ground. Otherwise you'll have to lower wheel, loosen lug nuts, and then jack it back up. Or if it's on the front axle and you already have the wheel in the air, have someone press the brake pedal. If it's on the rear, put the parking brake on.

Actually, the way I do it now is my son takes it to work (Discount Tire) and gets it done there when they are slow (which isn't often). But the above is how "I" do it.

 

[limeade]

If you plan on doing your own maintenance, invest in a good hydraulic floor jack and four good sized jack stands. Don't waste your money on the smaller jack stands. Get as large of ones you can afford. These will come in handy when you do need to support the frame, like when installing a suspension lift.

 

[DocTwinkie]

If you plan on doing your own maintenance, invest in a good hydraulic floor jack and four good sized jack stands. Don't waste your money on the smaller jack stands. Get as large of ones you can afford. These will come in handy when you do need to support the frame, like when installing a suspension lift.

I was thinking these. They go to just shy of 24”.
BIG RED T46002A Torin Steel Jack Stands: Double Locking, 6 Ton (12,000 lb) Capacity, 1 Pair https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00026Z3DQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_oqJQEb140S2G3

 

[limeade]

I was thinking these. They go to just shy of 24”.
BIG RED T46002A Torin Steel Jack Stands: Double Locking, 6 Ton (12,000 lb) Capacity, 1 Pair https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00026Z3DQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_oqJQEb140S2G3

Those are good. They have 23 13/16" of height, enough to support the frame high enough for a suspension lift install.

Mine go 24.5" in height. When I've needed more, I just put down a platform of wood to build up the base height.

 

[@minutemen]

Did one today with no jack stands (even though I have them). Just as @limeade said, take off the spare first and then you can do one at a time.

 

[Outlawd]

Yep, just as Limeade says, don't start your own maintenance with out proper tools. The big reds will work fine. I personally don't rotate the spare for three reasons. 1-I'm picky and always want the new tire look hanging on the back. Secondly I don't have a pressure sensor in the spare wheel and third is it would be difficult to get a true consistent wear pattern on the 4 tires being run if one of the rotated tires don't get used. When I worked at a dealership we rotated the run tires only. The pattern we used was to " x the undriven tires ". this means the front tires get crossed as they get moved to the rear and the rear ones (drive tires) get moved straight forward. Don't know if this helps you but just sharing how we done it.

 

[DocTwinkie]

Thanks. Didn’t think of the TPMS. Owners manual doesn’t specify but I’ve seen some threads suggesting the computer knows which tire is where and the spare has a TPMS though don’t know if that’s true. Suppose I’ll find out.

 

[Outlawd]

Thanks. Didn’t think of the TPMS. Owners manual doesn’t specify but I’ve seen some threads suggesting the computer knows which tire is where and the spare has a TPMS though don’t know if that’s true. Suppose I’ll find out.

I've got aftermarket wheels and tires and didn't install sensor in spare.

 

[sf5211]

Thanks. Didn’t think of the TPMS. Owners manual doesn’t specify but I’ve seen some threads suggesting the computer knows which tire is where and the spare has a TPMS though don’t know if that’s true. Suppose I’ll find out.

I can answer your question George, about a month ago I got a flat and had to change the tire in a supermarket parking lot. I first attempted to use the scissor jack at the frame. No good, had to lower the Jeep and get it from the axle tube near the tire. From there it had plenty more lift if you were to use a jack stand. It was a Saturday so I went about 4 days on the spare and yes the tpms did work on the spare.

 

[OldGuyNewJeep]

Doing my first oil change and tire rotation. Oil change I’m fine with. Tire rotation I’m curious how folks do it considering the suspension travel.

I have a JLUR. Is the stock jack enough to get the wheel off the ground? Do people jack stand the whole car up or do a wheel at a time? I haven’t checked the manual yet but supposing then jack points will be on the frame.
Just curious for any pointers. Thanks in advance.

Do a 5 tire rotation and you can do one at a time, no jack stand needed. After one time you’ll be sick of that scissor jack, though. Do yourself a favor and get a floor jack from Harbor Freight.

The TPMS sorts itself out as soon as the wheels spin.

Use axel tube as jack point, right beside where lower control arms bolt to it (picture in the manual).

I use this rotation pattern, which I got on this forum (I wish I could remember to whom I should give credit).

I actually keep that picture along with these other tidbits in my iPhone’s Notes app:

Oil:
5q 0w20

Oil Filter:
MOPAR MO-349 68191349AB/AC
Mobil 1: M1C-456A

Air Filter:
MOPAR 68257030AA
8mm socket

Cabin Filter:
MOPAR 68301863AA

22mm lugs
13mm drain plug
24mm oil filter cap (torque to 18lbs)
Pull F11 & F97 to reset UConnect

 

[Headbarcode]

Another vote for a full 5 tire rotation. I do the same pattern as shown above by OldGuyNewJeep. Rotating the spare into the mix assures that, when needed, it will be close enough in circumference to the rest. It also extends the overall lifespan of that set of tires.

 

[@minutemen]

Thanks. Didn’t think of the TPMS. Owners manual doesn’t specify but I’ve seen some threads suggesting the computer knows which tire is where and the spare has a TPMS though don’t know if that’s true. Suppose I’ll find out.

If you are running stock, the spare should have a TPMS.

 

[@minutemen]

Yep, just as Limeade says, don't start your own maintenance with out proper tools. The big reds will work fine. I personally don't rotate the spare for three reasons. 1-I'm picky and always want the new tire look hanging on the back. Secondly I don't have a pressure sensor in the spare wheel and third is it would be difficult to get a true consistent wear pattern on the 4 tires being run if one of the rotated tires don't get used. When I worked at a dealership we rotated the run tires only. The pattern we used was to " x the undriven tires ". this means the front tires get crossed as they get moved to the rear and the rear ones (drive tires) get moved straight forward. Don't know if this helps you but just sharing how we done it.

I get that it affects the wear pattern, but if you don't include the 5th tire won't it eventually become useless due to the hardening of the compound and the difference in circumference in comparison to the other tires? I feel like I'm wasting a perfectly good tire if I don't include it in the rotation .

 

[OldGuyNewJeep]

I get that it affects the wear pattern, but if you don't include the 5th tire won't it eventually become useless due to the hardening of the compound and the difference in circumference in comparison to the other tires? I feel like I'm wasting a perfectly good tire if I don't include it in the rotation .

100% agree. Also, what if I want to go with different tires next time?

Wear pattern is a non issue. Just rotate every 5k miles and all will be well. I have 32,000 miles on my stock KO2’s and they’re wearing very evenly.

Sponsored