Just rotate them yourself, that is unless you bought your tires somewhere that will rotate them for free. It's super easy, maybe 20 minutes at the most.

 

i wouldn't pay to have my tires rotated. but i get free rotations where i bought my tires

 

I rotate my tire by myself(every 5k).I don't bother rotating the spare though as stated in the manual...But the manual will tell you how your suppose to rotate them.I believe fronts go straight back, and the rears go to the front, but crossed?

 

For someone who has never rotated his own tires, what tools are required other than the standard tire changing tools (jack, tire iron, etc.)? Do you guys use jack stands or ramps? Do you jack the truck completely up and take off the wheels or do you do two at a time? Maybe someone can give me a brief "how to"?

 

I rotate my tire by myself(every 5k).I don't bother rotating the spare though as stated in the manual...But the manual will tell you how your suppose to rotate them.I believe fronts go straight back, and the rears go to the front, but crossed?

Yea i rotate my tires every 5k, when i go and buy my next set from costco i'll get free rotation.

I dunno about the manual but i go front diagonal back and back straight forward, that to me makes the most sense wear wise, and thats how i've always rotated my tires.

 

I personally use a lift at work, if not, I'd use jack stands. Also, I'd get a torque wrench, lugs should be at 80 foot pounds.

 

Yea i rotate my tires every 5k, when i go and buy my next set from costco i'll get free rotation.

I dunno about the manual but i go front diagonal back and back straight forward, that to me makes the most sense wear wise, and thats how i've always rotated my tires.

That's how it's done!

 

I personally use a lift at work, if not, I'd use jack stands. Also, I'd get a torque wrench, lugs should be at 80 foot pounds.

Got the torque wrench, just not a floor jack or jack stands. Seems like a saw a set at Sears containing both...any certain weight I need in a floor jack?

 

I payed 25$ for life time rotation well worth the money for me

 

For someone who has never rotated his own tires, what tools are required other than the standard tire changing tools (jack, tire iron, etc.)? Do you guys use jack stands or ramps? Do you jack the truck completely up and take off the wheels or do you do two at a time? Maybe someone can give me a brief "how to"?

I use jack stands, ALWAYS use jack stands. I use to do it one at a time using the spare tire as a temp bolt in while i move each tire around. but now i use four jack stands, MUCH quicker and i don't have to drop the spare.

Tools:
jack tools from the truck
SUV floor jack (makes things easier but you can use the bottle jack included with your truck)
Jack Stands, i say four but you can get by with two.
Strong back, those tires get effin heavy

 

Got the torque wrench, just not a floor jack or jack stands. Seems like a saw a set at Sears containing both...any certain weight I need in a floor jack?

Not really, if they are selling it in a set with floor jacks, it will certainly be fine. Just be careful where you place it, in the back, lift from the pumkin, in the front, make sure you don't lift from the oil pan.

edit: use a crossmember

 

I payed 25$ for life time rotation well worth the money for me

I would do this too if I didn't already change my own oil. My main reason for changing the oil myself is time savings, but if I have to still go somewhere to get my tires rotated, I'm not saving any time.

 

I would do this too if I didn't already change my own oil. My main reason for changing the oil myself is time savings, but if I have to still go somewhere to get my tires rotated, I'm not saving any time.

yea i believe i save time too when i rotate my own tires and change my own oil. Actually any mantainence i can do myself i will, gives me peace of mind that it was done the right way for sure.

 

I use jack stands, ALWAYS use jack stands. I use to do it one at a time using the spare tire as a temp bolt in while i move each tire around. but now i use four jack stands, MUCH quicker and i don't have to drop the spare.

Tools:
jack tools from the truck
SUV floor jack (makes things easier but you can use the bottle jack included with your truck)
Jack Stands, i say four but you can get by with two.
Strong back, those tires get effin heavy

How can you get by with just two jack stands?

 

How can you get by with just two jack stands?

jack stands for one end, floor jack for the other

 

i go front diagonal back and back straight forward, that to me makes the most sense wear wise, and thats how i've always rotated my tires.

Same as I have always done... end result is same as owner's manual method, each tire spends time at each position.

I jack up the front & place jack stands, and raise the rear with a floor jack. By doing it myself, I know the wheels are not getting dinged or scratched, and the lugs are properly torqued.

Guys, if you let someone else do it (free rotation, why not), be sure they torque 'em by hand and never, never use an air impact wrench. If they are professionals, they'll understand, although it costs them a bit more time. If not... find another shop.

 

Ive been on a few calls, where people didnt use jack stands. One died, the others I guarantee will use them from now on.

 

How can you get by with just two jack stands?

amp2oo1 is right, i did that on a friends car when he only had two jack stands. Jack up the rear, jack stand the rear, remove tires, jack up the front rotate tires, (you don't even need a floor jack you can jack up one front side at a time with a bottle jack, seems unstable though), lower vehicle.

 

Ive been on a few calls, where people didnt use jack stands. One died, the others I guarantee will use them from now on.

Yep, my dad told me you should never use a floor jack by itself. Always use jack stands...

 

Ive been on a few calls, where people didnt use jack stands. One died, the others I guarantee will use them from now on.

Good point, and I should add that I never get under a vehicle without jackstands. I do, however, change tires using a floor jack only -- and I don't get under the vehicle for that.

Only saying what I do... I am not suggesting anyone else do it that way.

 

Not only do I use jack stands but I shake the vehicle to make sure it will stay on them before I crawl under.

BTW, I like to do my own rotations because I like my work the best. I trust myself more than some greasy tire monkey. That way I don't have to worry about wheels coming off or warped rotors or not being able to get the lugnuts off to change a flat.

 

A couple reasons to do tire rotation yourself:

1. Check brake pad thickness, and pry off the rear drums and check them too. Its an easy way to check the rest of the suspension for damage, leaks, whatever.

2. Scrub off the brake dust from inside the rims and the wheels look much better.

I'm like a couple others here taking shortcuts, I jack up the front crossmember and put stands under the lca's, which frankly is not ideal but I can't figure out a better place, then I jack the rear pumpkin without stands. I'm careful never to get under the truck like this but it's not ideal.

I just do front to back rotation. The main purpose is for tires to spend equal time on the front and back as most of the wear takes place on the front (unless you do burnouts.) But you can do diagonal if you want, it's just as easy when all four are off the ground at once.

You asked about jack size. I mainly use my little 1.5 ton floor jack because it's easier to carry around, and it seems fine for capacity. You could also use some short scraps of 2x6 lumber or something for soft spacers between the jack and the truck bottom.

Also, nobody mentioned loosening and tightening the lug nuts. I don't like to use an impact wrench so when I'm jacking front end, right before the tires come off the ground I loosen the nuts, and final tightening is done as I remove the front stands and partially lower the truck to the ground, all to keep the tire from spinning. The rears can be held by the emergency brake.

DIY tire rotation is a lengthy and physical task done like this, don't let anyone tell you otherwise, but you get some return for your time. Plus you get to drink beer.

 

The shop that installed my lift/wheels/tires is going to rotate and inspect my truck this Thursday.

They are doing it for free, I thought they were going to charge me like $50 knowing them. :lol:

They will do a prime job and everything will come out legit.

After that, I gotta head to the dealer for the 15k service or maybe just a simple oil change.

 

You can get by with two stands if you have a Real Good Floor Jack, meaning the kind used in any tire store (usually a 5 ton unit with a steel wheel at EACH corner). However, since you are a beginner-One 3 ton jack stand and a 2 to 3 ton capacity wheeled floor jack will get your beast off the ground. This is only if you are rotating on the same side (front to back and vice-versa) I understand it's not good to change rotation on a radial tire. You'll also need a 1/2" drive torque wrench, a 'star wrench' (slang for the cross wrench with 4 different sized sockets) OR the correct size 6 point by 1/2" socket and a 1/2" breaker bar. The 1/2" refers to the 'drive size' of the square opening (in the socket) and the mating size on the wrenches. If there is ANY chance that you'll be under this vehicle, Use TWO stands! Never, Ever work under any vehicle that isn't supported with adequate jack stands!! What you may save in $$$ isn't worth getting crushed for. Check a manual for the amount of torque (may vary between steel to aluminum wheels) and the 'lug torquing pattern'. There are more variables involved and I'd strongly suggest you have a very knowledgable friend help you the 1st time. Unlike your oil change, you won't be using the ramps here as the object is to rotate the tires. Desire is a good thing, but temper it with common sense.

 

I understand it's not good to change rotation on a radial tire.

That theory surfaced some 35 years ago, when radials were first being suggested for American cars. The idea was that a radial would take a 'set' during use, and reversing its rotation could cause it to destroy itself -- or at least suffer a shortened life. Whether there was any truth to that is debatable, but at any rate, it does not apply today -- nor has it for many years.

You'll also need the correct size 6 point by 1/2" socket

A 13/16" sparkplug socket fits perfectly. :thumbup: