DIY Tire Rotation?

[Dave415]

Update (Feb 2026)

Does anyone have any experience or advice on DIY tire rotations? I’m debating whether to take this on. I figure I could rotate my own in about 30 mins, save hours waiting at a tire shop, and have a fun teachable moment with my kids. I’ve changed single flat tires before on small cars, but I am a novice with big cars (R1S). I’ve done a lot of research, but I’d appreciate a double check if anyone has thoughts.

I have no spare tire, so my plan would be:

1. Level location, Drive Mode: All-Purpose, Ride Height: Highest, Settings -> Service -> Tire Change Mode
2. Loosen all lug nuts slightly while the R1S is still on the ground.
3. Jack up the R1S Right Rear (RR) lower control arm, then place a jack stand under that right rear side
   1. I think this is a must, since there isn’t a way to swap in a jack stand if I’m already using the same jack point.
   2. Picture, from Rivian Forums: https://www.rivianforums.com/forum/attachments/1707334864590-png.84164/
4. Remove the tire that is held by the jack stand (starting point for the rotation, would remain empty until final rotation).
5. Using only the floor jack (no jack stand), follow the rearward cross pattern
   1. Right Rear (RR) -> Right Front (RF) (Swap in the loose right rear tire for the right front tire), and then…
   2. Right Front (RF) → Left Rear (LR)
   3. Left Rear (LR) → Left Front (LF)
   4. Left Front (LF) → Right Rear (RR) (which fills in the empty tire well)

Notes:

• Lug nuts are M14 x 1.5.
• Torque lug nuts in start pattern to 190Nm (140 lb-ft)
• Drive car 10 mins to reset TPMS sensors
• Non-Rivian Jack Specs: 3 tons with 23 inches of range
• Wheel chocks on both sides of diagonally opposite tire

Questions

1. Q: Is this too risky if I try to optimize time by not using the second jack stand? Remember, the floor jack itself occupies the jack point, and I’m trying to avoid removing underbody jack panels.
2. Does anyone have experience with how long it takes to remove and reinstall the underbody jack panels?

Bill of Materials ($679, ouch!)

$289 - DAYTONA 3 Ton Low-Profile Superduty Floor Jack with RAPID PUMP

• Min lift height: 3.75”, Max lift height 23.125”
• https://www.harborfreight.com/3-ton...apid-pump-sunburst-metallic-orange-57590.html

$80 - 3 Ton Jack Stands (Pair)

• Min lift height: ~14”, Max lift height: ~22” (This would be combined with the 3.18” Jack puck to clear 23”)
• https://www.harborfreight.com/3-ton-jack-stands-with-circular-pads-58789.html

$112 - Magnetic Jack Puck Adapter Kit for Rivian R1T & R1S

• L3.18 x W3.13 x H3.18 inches
• https://www.amazon.com/Magnetic-Jack-Adapter-Rivian-Zippered/dp/B0BX2317TM/

$16 - Wheel Chocks (Purchase 2)

• https://www.harborfreight.com/solid-rubber-wheel-chock-96479.html

$15 - Jack Pads (Pair)

• https://www.amazon.com/ZIMISI-Jack-Anti-Slip-Protector-Lift/dp/B0F6K38XJW/
• I’m thinking of lifting the truck by the “lower control arm in the rear”, so this might help protect the metal on the Rivian (and let me use the same setup for my Chevy Bolt)

$22 - PITTSBURGH PRO 1/2 in. Drive, 25 in. Breaker Bar

• https://www.harborfreight.com/12-in-drive-25-in-breaker-bar-62729.html

$145 - TEKTON 1/2 Inch Drive 72-Tooth Split Beam Torque Wrench (40-250 ft.-lb.) TRQ62203

• https://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-Torque-Wrench-ft-lb-TRQ62203AMZ/

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[PaythePiper]

Don’t buy harbor freight China crap. Get a pro Eagle 3 ton Abrams jack. Built for lifted vehicles

 

[Polar]

Why yes, I do in fact do my own rotations…

Stupid seized rim…

On a real note OP, you may like the extra tall jack puck. JackPuckXL - I appreciate the hell out of mine.

 

[natcc99]

Hello, doing a rotation at home is do-able. As you mentioned, it's a great teachable moment with your kids. Be sure to do some stretching ahead of time because the rims/tire is heavy.

I haven't tried to lift from the lower control arm before. My only concern would be the jack slipping off the control arm. I have rock sliders and an extra full size spare; so it's a bit easier for me to rotate my rims.

Anyways, I wanted to give you a warning about the rear suspension. It will droop or sag once you remove the wheel. So, if your jack stand isn't tall enough, you'll have a problem getting the rim back on...I guess you can put the jack under the control arm in this case.

 

[Polar]

Hello, doing a rotation at home is do-able. As you mentioned, it's a great teachable moment with your kids. Be sure to do some stretching ahead of time because the rims/tire is heavy.

I haven't tried to lift from the lower control arm before. My only concern would be the jack slipping off the control arm. I have rock sliders and an extra full size spare; so it's a bit easier for me to rotate my rims.

Anyways, I wanted to give you a warning about the rear suspension. It will droop or sag once you remove the wheel. So, if your jack stand isn't tall enough, you'll have a problem getting the rim back on...I guess you can put the jack under the control arm in this case.

It may seem really silly but this little furniture tool is saving my back on rotations/swaps​

​

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[natcc99]

Questions

1. Q: Is this too risky if I try to optimize time by not using the second jack stand? Remember, the floor jack itself occupies the jack point, and I’m trying to avoid removing underbody jack panels.
2. Does anyone have experience with how long it takes to remove and reinstall the underbody jack panels?

I've seen some tire shops just use jacks to do tire rotations. So, you could potentially buy another jack.

Personally, it doesn't look safe, but it's what some shops will do. If you do decide to do this, watch out for your kids being close to the vehicle.

As for the removing the panels, it's annoying. Some of the clips are hard to get to. You can tell they were design for assembly and not really maintenance. See video below. Ignore that it's talking about rock sliders....skip to the section where the instructor is showing how to remove the panels.

 

[natcc99]

It may seem really silly but this little furniture tool is saving my back on rotations/swaps​

Oh sweet. I need to get one of those. Thanks.
I come here to help others and now I'm buying another tool for my garage.

 

[Eeyore]

I think you are wildly optimistic about that 30 minute time frame, especially if you plan on using the activity as a teachable moment.

I like this torque wrench: https://www.harborfreight.com/12-in-drive-80-to-160-ft-lb-preset-lug-nut-torque-wrench-58628.html for $49.99. Even less if you have a % off coupon.

That tire positioning tool is a GREAT idea. Those tires are heavy.

I got this for moving the tire into position, but I'm sure it cost way more that the tool Polar showed.
https://www.harborfreight.com/autom...lf-loading-positioning-wheel-dolly-64601.html

 

[iamnid]

I've rotated the tires once on my R1S. It took me roughly 45-60 minutes. I did a front to back rotation. I used 2 jacks. I have a floor jack as well as a 10 ton bottle jack. I also have the high profile magnetic jackpucks (or whatever they're called). You can lift the entire side with one jack but I used the second jack for stability. I lifted an entire side with the floor jack. Obviously, this lifts the wheel closest to the puck first and then, once the second wheel came off the ground, I put the bottle jack at that corner and adjusted it up to help lift the vehicle.

I used a breaker bar and a no-mar bit for the lug nuts. I think I used the same torque wrench you listed.

When it was all done and the vehicle was taken out of tire change mode there was something funky going on with the wheels when the suspension first lowered. Driving it forward a few feet and changing the ride height fixed that. It's hard to explain but it looked like the suspension stayed such that the wheels were at an angle when it was lowered. The vehicle showed an error related to the suspension as well until it fixed itself.

 

[antimatter]

I'd definitely suggest budgeting more time for a tire rotation, just because it is a great time to do some inspections and TLC on the vehicle. Mind you, I'm not suggesting you get under it, but use a flashlight to check the brake pads, look at bushings, look for any fluid leaks that shouldn't be there, and maybe clean up any bugs or tar that got on the lower sides/front/rear panels. Using your tread depth gauge to check your tire wear is a good idea also. And, of course, verify your tire pressure with your good tire gauge. A beer or soda of your choice is a good accompaniment to vehicle maintenance as well, along with a ball game on the radio... OK, I'm projecting a bit, but you get the idea. A little ritual can make these sorts of tasks something to be enjoyed, rather than an annoyance.

 

[Polar]

When it was all done and the vehicle was taken out of tire change mode there was something funky going on with the wheels when the suspension first lowered. Driving it forward a few feet and changing the ride height fixed that. It's hard to explain but it looked like the suspension stayed such that the wheels were at an angle when it was lowered. The vehicle showed an error related to the suspension as well until it fixed itself.

The weird stance is quite normal as the tires settle down and can’t slide back out to the side. Driving as you said resolves the issue.
I don’t know though why you saw a suspension error, never seen an error myself post tire change. I assume you were in highest while in tire change mode?

 

[PaythePiper]

The weird stance is quite normal as the tires settle down and can’t slide back out to the side. Driving as you said resolves the issue.
I don’t know though why you saw a suspension error, never seen an error myself post tire change. I assume you were in highest while in tire change mode?

Mine did the exact same thing as his. Threw a suspension error that went away quickly. When I first looked at the wheels I thought I mounted them wrong lol

 

[FooF]

The weird stance is quite normal as the tires settle down and can’t slide back out to the side. Driving as you said resolves the issue.
I don’t know though why you saw a suspension error, never seen an error myself post tire change. I assume you were in highest while in tire change mode?

Just go forward and reverse a little bit when lowering the suspension after tire change mode helps the lowering process.

 

[Polar]

Just go forward and reverse a little bit when lowering the suspension after tire change mode helps the lowering process.

So… driving a little bit?

 

[AdventureTravel]

I went to do the same thing, ended up sending my kids away as jacking up the control arm isn’t that stable.
Also I found out Rivian stripped one of the original lug nuts on at the factory so I ended up driving to Rivian with missing lugs but luckily they replaced the rotor for me under warranty.
You have to be careful with such a heavy vehicle, I had Jack stands with rubber on them under the jack pucks initially and it was bending significantly so I went straight to the frame.
I recommend jacking one of the front tires up first, throwing a jack stand under (since there is more space on the frame up front) and then using your Jack on the opposite rear side.

The second time will be much easier

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