Tire rotating question

chetos · **Posted:** Mon Jun 19, 2006 6:00 pm

I bought my KJ with 21000 miles on it. All four tires look to be in very good shape. The spare still has the little nubs all over so I know it's never been rotated in. Is it too late to get it in the rotation. If not what's the best way to rotate with a spare?

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Mon Jun 19, 2006 6:31 pm

chetos wrote:

I bought my KJ with 21000 miles on it. All four tires look to be in very good shape. The spare still has the little nubs all over so I know it's never been rotated in. Is it too late to get it in the rotation. If not what's the best way to rotate with a spare?

nubs? What the heck is a nub? Do you mean bumps in the side wall? Or chunks gone from the tread? :?:

All of my goodyears have bumps in the sidewall if thats what you are talking about. So it would be fine to rotate it in.

chetos · **Posted:** Mon Jun 19, 2006 6:40 pm

Jeepjeepster wrote:

chetos wrote:

I bought my KJ with 21000 miles on it. All four tires look to be in very good shape. The spare still has the little nubs all over so I know it's never been rotated in. Is it too late to get it in the rotation. If not what's the best way to rotate with a spare?

nubs? What the heck is a nub? Do you mean bumps in the side wall? Or chunks gone from the tread? :?:

All of my goodyears have bumps in the sidewall if thats what you are talking about. So it would be fine to rotate it in.

Ok maybe not nubs but the little 'whiskers' that all new tires have.

raceinfan · **Posted:** Mon Jun 19, 2006 6:49 pm

just rotate it when you do the rest it's not to late, my dealer told me they do them front to back hope this helps

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Mon Jun 19, 2006 7:03 pm

chetos wrote:

Jeepjeepster wrote:

chetos wrote:

I bought my KJ with 21000 miles on it. All four tires look to be in very good shape. The spare still has the little nubs all over so I know it's never been rotated in. Is it too late to get it in the rotation. If not what's the best way to rotate with a spare?

nubs? What the heck is a nub? Do you mean bumps in the side wall? Or chunks gone from the tread? :?:

All of my goodyears have bumps in the sidewall if thats what you are talking about. So it would be fine to rotate it in.

Ok maybe not nubs but the little 'whiskers' that all new tires have.

Haha, aight. If you have an LS or locker in the rear, I would not put the spare back there(Its bigger since its not worn). You could put it on the front, but I really see no use. This just means you must buy 5 new tires and not 4? Why not spend less money earlier than spending more money for five tires?

AdamIsAdam · **Posted:** Mon Jun 19, 2006 9:30 pm

You should do a 5 tire rotation when you have a full sized spare. Especially on a 4WD. And mandatory if you have Trak-Loc rear or use the part time 4wd at all.

Per tire manufacturers and available at www.tirerack.com, you should do the following rotation:

BACKS TO FRONT.
FRONTS CROSS TO BACK.
Put LF to Spare, and Spare to RR each time, thus creating a 5 tire rotation.

Now, if I were you, I'd put that new spare on the front for a few rotations if you have trak-loc rear to avoid extra wear and tear on your rear end's clutches.

Oh, and you do want to do 5 tire rotation instead of 4 because:
1) your set will last longer
2) your spare, if never used, can dry rot and need to be replaced even if never used - especially if you don't run a cover
3) your next set of tires can be brand and size you want instead of being forced to stay with stock to match your spare
4) if you need that spare and it's new, yet the rest are well worn, you're effectively running different sized tires and can have posi rear problems.

The list goes on. Please don't flame me if you disagree. Everyone has their opinions. The things I'm stating here are facts. You're entitled to do what's best for you.

Oh, and you can rotate in the spare anywhere, as long as you're consistent from one rotation to the next.

nickmv · **Posted:** Mon Jun 19, 2006 10:04 pm

if you dont have track-loc, might as well just save the spare and not rotate it in. no point in getting 5 new tires vs only 4. I've got 4 new tires and the original spare on the back. Obviously I don't rotate the spare in as it's a different size and brand, but when I had all originals, it still didn't make sense.

chetos · **Posted:** Tue Jun 20, 2006 9:06 am

nickmv wrote:

if you dont have track-loc, might as well just save the spare and not rotate it in. no point in getting 5 new tires vs only 4. I've got 4 new tires and the original spare on the back. Obviously I don't rotate the spare in as it's a different size and brand, but when I had all originals, it still didn't make sense.

How do you tell if you have trac-loc? I have the 4x4 command-trac system(no full-time 4high)

AdamIsAdam · **Posted:** Tue Jun 20, 2006 9:20 am

there should be a green label wrapped around the axle right in front of the left rear tire that clearly says trak-loc on it. Or your window sticker. Or your VIN can be decoded to show it.

Or, jack up the rear at the pumpkin so both wheels are off the ground. Turn one wheel and the other should turn with it if trak-loc. It will turn in the opposite direction if it's an open rear.

Cacher123 · **Posted:** Thu Jun 22, 2006 9:48 am

Quote:

if you need that spare and it's new, yet the rest are well worn, you're effectively running different sized tires and can have posi rear problems.

While I see the logic in this, we are talking about maybe 1/16" or so. Will this really make a difference in a 4wd system that bounces over rocks, suffers variations in air pressure, cornering loads, etc?
- Newbie on this whole Trac-Lok/posi thing.....

AdamIsAdam · **Posted:** Thu Jun 22, 2006 10:15 am

Cacher123 wrote:

Quote:

if you need that spare and it's new, yet the rest are well worn, you're effectively running different sized tires and can have posi rear problems.

While I see the logic in this, we are talking about maybe 1/16" or so. Will this really make a difference in a 4wd system that bounces over rocks, suffers variations in air pressure, cornering loads, etc?
- Newbie on this whole Trac-Lok/posi thing.....

On the street, yes it will make a difference. Not so much for very short drives, but it will wear your cluthes over time.

That's the same reason I try not to be on the throttle when turning. Extra wear and load on those clutches. I want my clutches there when I need them -- off road! That is, until I get up the nerve to spend the money on lockers! :twisted:

silver_2000_tj · **Joined:** Sat Jan 07, 2006 12:17 pm **Posts:** 29

Here is the five tire rotation that I use!

AdamIsAdam · **Posted:** Thu Jun 22, 2006 12:36 pm

According to tirerack and a few manufacturers, they want the front wheels to cross back, and back to go straight up front. I think that reduces the amount of steering wheel vibration you may encounter.

Whatever works I guess. Just stick to it.

Guyute1210 · **Posted:** Thu Jun 22, 2006 2:28 pm

I do a 4 tire rotation, since I know i'm sticking with my MT/r's anyway. That way, when I go to buy more tires, I will only need to buy 3. One of the old ones turns into a trail spare, and the new spare gets used with the 3 new ones.

Tire rotating question

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