Dumb Question about Tire Rotation

NAiLs · September 20, 2013, 09:59:56 AM

Alright, this is really dumb, but I wanted to question it because I don't want to do it wrong. I've never had a problem rotating my tires on my cars, but I've owned W-bodys (AKA: Grand Prix's -- 4 of them) for 10 years and was super familiar with them. Not only that, I always had a second set of wheels with winter tires, making tire rotations a piece of cake. I haven't even bothered doing my G8's tires only because the dealer charged me $18 to rotate them when she was in for regular service last, so I couldn't go wrong there. Now I'd like to save the money for whatever Ford wants to charge, but I want to make sure I'm doing it right.

So the SHO is well due for a rotation. I kind of wished the dealer did this prior to me purchasing the car, but I guess I would be a fool to think they would! LOL! I am not at all familiar with the jack points on this car for my floor jack, and then where I can stick a jack stand and let the car rest on it. I'd like to rotate Front Left to Rear Right, but I'm quite clueless where I can put jack stands and let alone the floor jack under this car. I'd hate to squish something with the jack that shouldn't be squished. I'm assuming the best option here, is to toss the spare on the Front Left, drop the car, and jack up the rear right. I've only got two 3-ton jack stands to work with, so putting the car up in the air isn't an option.

Any advise and pictorials would be great!

Thanks!

-Brian

QwikSHO · September 20, 2013, 11:50:03 AM

How do you only have three jackstands? LOL

With only three jackstands (or two useable) you're only going to be able to swap front/back unless you're a magician or want to waste time mounting/dismounting a spare and multiple jacking/downjacking.

I'd just spend the money for a rotation at a local tire store or oil change place. With non-directional tires I've always swapped them as so:

NAiLs · September 20, 2013, 01:26:24 PM

Quote from: QwikSHO on September 20, 2013, 11:50:03 AM
How do you only have three jackstands? LOL

With only three jackstands (or two useable) you're only going to be able to swap front/back unless you're a magician or want to waste time mounting/dismounting a spare and multiple jacking/downjacking.

I'd just spend the money for a rotation at a local tire store or oil change place. With non-directional tires I've always swapped them as so:

I think you misread... I have two (2) 3-ton jack stands, not three. :-P I'm basically wondering where I can jack up the car and then place the stands without wrecking something. Since I'm screwed and only have two stands, I'd likely end up using the spare to do the FWD rotation that your picture shows. I'm just trying to save some money by doing it myself, but I want to make sure I'm doing it right. Since I'm not familiar enough with this car yet, I felt it necessary to ask. I'm more than capable and have the tools.

QwikSHO · September 20, 2013, 01:29:04 PM

You have an owner's manual? Pretty sure the jack points are in there.

crash712us · September 20, 2013, 01:47:00 PM

There are cut outs in the black plastic trim on the bottom car those are your jack point. When I lift the whole car I place t2 jack stands under engine cradle and then use floor jack under frame that surround read differential.

Scott13SHO · September 20, 2013, 02:59:08 PM

If you jack up the car where there is reinforcements in the sheetmetal (Looks like a lip or whatever) you should be safe jacking the car up there without damaging it.

I rotated my tires a couple weeks ago, and the whole flipping the rear drivers side to the front passenger side and doing the same with the passenger side was a major PIA even with 2 jack stands and a jack to hold it up.

Brucelinc · September 20, 2013, 03:22:50 PM

I use 4 floor jacks and lift all 4 wheels off the ground. I use the reinforced jack points that Scott mentions for the front but I jack from the lower control arm in the back - in the indentation where the spring is located. I always do each corner a little bit at at time so I am not putting the body in a twist.

Two ton floor jacks can be purchased pretty inexpensively at most auto parts stores, farm & fleet type stores, etc. Having all 4 wheels off the ground makes it much easier.

mjhpadi · September 20, 2013, 03:57:25 PM

I usually put my 2 jack stands under the rear wheels and use the jack to jack up which ever front tire I am rotating first. It would be nice to have 4 jack stands and not use the jack, but it's not really all that much more work.

NAiLs · September 20, 2013, 05:00:45 PM

Thanks guys! I told you it was a stupid question! LOL! I think Crash and Scott's method on lifting is the one that I was looking for, but I just have to make sure the cup on the jack isn't so big that it damages anything.

I've only got the two stands thanks to my brother. I never bothered buying my own and have just borrowed two of his four for a few years.

Some day I'll get my own. Sometimes he even comes over to my house to steal my jack, so I guess it's an even trade.

NAiLs · September 30, 2013, 10:22:37 AM

Well, that was easy enough. I used the spare tire and it took me maybe 30 minutes to rotate everything. I was mostly concerned that my jack wouldn't work on this car, but it worked perfectly.

I don't think the previous owner ever rotated these tires, because the fronts are pretty much shot, while the rears still have 20-30k left in them. I even noticed one of the tires has a slight gash in the sidewall, but thankfully it isn't very deep... maybe 1/16". Ugh, now to scout out some good all-seasons for next year!