What tools for swapping own wheels from front to back?

[P1pps]

I have been to three local tyre garages today who have all refused to switch my tyres front and back for any fee, apparently because it did not involve selling a tyre.

So I will now more than happily invest in my own trolley jack, torque wrench, jack stands and impact driver. I can then switch my wheels and tyres around as much as I like.

Is there anything specific that I should look for when buying an impact driver for car wheels? Is one even really needed for occasional use? Does anyone else do this themselves?

[LennyM1984]

You don't need an impact wrench to change wheels, they just make it marginally more convenient.

[Butter Face]

Have you not got a wheel brace and a Jack? Those and a couple of blocks are all you really need tbh.

[garethrobinson]

LennyM1984 said:

You don't need an impact wrench to change wheels, they just make it marginally more convenient.

I’m with LennyM. Get yourself a telescopic wheel nut wrench, break them loose before you jack the car up and you’ll be fine.

[Getragdogleg]

Find a small back St garage, get them to do it. You don't need to sell tyres to take a wheel or 4 off!

[993kimbo]

Definitely do it yourself. It’s so easy. Did your tyre places maybe think you wanted the tyres switched over from front to back? If so, not many would do that. But swapping the wheels and tyres is easy.

[LeoSayer]

I do this a lot and use:

Trolley jack
Breaker bar
Sockets in appropriate size
Torque wrench

Then you'll need either:
- A car where a trolley jack can lift both wheels on one side (most don't)
- Another trolley jack (to lift both wheels on one side)
- A spare wheel (to allow you to lower the car and the raise the other side)

[Scootersp]

You might want to get a scissor jack as well depending on your cars Jack and some axle stands.

If you want to rotate front to back then you'll need to jack the complete side up, so a scissor jack could be used second and on the other wheel to get it to clear. Then an axle stand as a safety measure while you swap them.

Check your cars jacking points first for the type, one of mine has a defined sill that needs a slotted hockey puck or scissor jack with slot, one of them has a nice padded area a trolley jack can go straight on.

First time doing it, just think about every step as a bent sill/slipped jack will have you kicking yourself!!

[anonymous-user]

An electric torque wrench is useful for getting the bolts off, particularly the locking wheel nut as you can keep it properly aligned and not wreck it.

The telescopic wheel wrenches are a complete PITA with the locking wheel nut/bolt as they are angled.

Add in a wire brush to clean the threads.

Lastly know what the tightening torque is for the wheel bolts before you start.

[NGRhodes]

Scissor jacks should not be used for regular maintenance. They can bend and distort with use, save for emergencies.

[eltax91]

Whereabouts in the country are you OP? If anywhere near the east mids, I’ve got a 2 post lift in the garage. You can use it and my tools no Problem. I’ll stand 2m away and watch

[Scootersp]

NGRhodes said:

Scissor jacks should not be used for regular maintenance. They can bend and distort with use, save for emergencies.

I find them quite handy, for a novice they are great for precise lowering onto an axle stand and can be left in place for extra safety. Extra caution is needed on any slopes but really it's good practice to jack anything on the flat and use axle stands regardless of jack type.

Also in this scenario the bulk of the weight will be on the trolley jack and then the scissor would be relatively lightly loaded, they are the least hardy/long lived type of jack i admit but buy one rated more than you need and as an infrequent user it'll be fine in conjunction with a trolley jack in my opinion, you just get fed up of the effort needed using one on its own.

Alternatively you could get used to supporting your car on four axle stands, then jack up the rear, place stands and jack up the front place stands, but this can involve a long reach jack at more expense and some more effort/risk re axle stand placement/damage.

[blank]

Decent trolley jack (Costco usually have good ones).
Hockey puck.
2ft breaker bar.
Socket with plastic outer shielded bit to protect the wheels.
Torque wrench.
Wire brush to clean the hub.


Every time I've done it I've been able to jack up a full side with one jack which makes it easy. Otherwise you need another jack or axle stand, or a spare wheel.

[Baldchap]

As a bare minimum the car tool kit will do.

As an OK standard, a socket set, trolley or bottle jack and torque wrench. You don't really need axle stands if you're swapping a wheel.

[eltax91]

Baldchap said:

As a bare minimum the car tool kit will do.

As an OK standard, a socket set, trolley or bottle jack and torque wrench. You don't really need axle stands if you're swapping a wheel.

He’s swapping two though old boy. Front to back means two wheels off at once.... unless OP wants to mess about putting spare on/ off and jack up/ down loads more times

[gazza285]

No spare wheel?

[Krikkit]

A lot of people seem to be recommending serious tools - forget it if you won't use them.

Get down to Halfords and buy the cheapest trolley jack, a torque wrench and the right size socket for your wheel nuts (17mm or 19mm)

If you're doing a whole side you won't even need an axle stand - loosen both sets of bolts, wing it up as high as you can so both wheels are lifted on that side, then swap.

[A1VDY]

Ref minimal tools, one small trolley jack circa £25, one axle stand, one socket and 2ft bar.

Jack up one corner and use the stand, use the jack alone on another corner and swop wheels over.
Goes without saying, keep clear when using the jack on its own, clean bolt threads and any rust off on the hub face. A drop of copper grease on the threads and on the bolt taper will prevent corosion/seizing.

[rxe]

A decent trolley jack will lift an entire side of the car in one. Loosen the nuts with a brace while the car is on the ground, jack it up, swap wheels front to back. Retighten once it is on the ground again.

[shirt]

Yes but ideally (unless directional) you would want to swap the wheels diagonally.

Go to another garage, tell them you want the tyres rotating and checked for balance. Any non-chain would happily do this.