I can't stand it anymore. I'm going to clean the backs of my wheels and rotate my tires.

However, I don't own a jack, or jack stands. We don't normally do stuff like this ourselves around here, haha.

I understand that I can jack up one entire side of the car with a jack and I plan to use jack stands just to be safe.

However, I am not a mechanic and have no idea what sort of jack I need. I'm looking at Sears.com and they range anywhere from $20 - $500.

If someone is really really bored, can you look at Sears.com and recommend what I need to do this job?

OH - and where are the jack points? Pics? I'm seriously clueless.

 

if you're running directional tires you can just jack up the front and
it will literally lift the rear at the same time. the front jack point is
near the door hinge.

i recommend a racing jack. you really don't need jack stands if you're
only rotating your tires. just take the front off (crack loose the lug first
while the car is still on the ground), wash it, put it back on the front
with finger tight lugs (just to be on the safe side just in case the
hydraulic gives away), clean your rear wheel, then take the front one
off again, put it on the rear, put your rear wheel on the front.

repeat for the other side. torque lugs to 85ft/lbs, and retorque again
after you drive the car 5miles.

 

oh yah, your car should've came with a jack... if you want you can use
that as your rear-end support while your rear tire is off the ground.

hydraulics on occasion give away when the seal goes bad or springs a
leak...

 

this new racing jack might work. bascially you want one that can
get under low-riding cars. like ~3" at the lowest height.

Sears item #00950240000 Mfr. model #G615

i use a HarborFreight racing jack... i have 2 of these:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=91039

if you're going to order from harborfreight, get a click-type torque wrench
while you're at it. they're like $20 and work fine for lugs. just set it at
zero when not in use.

 

how safe is it to just use the stock jack on the front point to lift up both wheels?

 

Do you have a good relationship with your local tire guy? Take your MINI in for a tire rotation and have them pressure wash the inside of the tires while you wait.

I have them do this whenever I have my tires rotated or new tires installed.

 

I have done it with the stock jack. With the jack in the forward position, the rear wheel is up before you get to the maximum height.

 

if done correctly it should be safe. but i have my doubts when the car
is up in the air for more than a few minutes while you wash the back of
your wheels....which could take a ocd person perhaps 15-20min or up
to a few hours.

 

You really won't get too much build-up if you just do the following:

1. Using the supplied jack or a $40 2-ton hydraulic jack from Pep Boys, lift the car and take off the wheels. You may want to invest another $20 in a set of 3-ton jack stands and do one whole side of the car. No need to get the hundred-dollar jobbies - the ones you get form Wal-mart or Sears are just fine. I use a 2-ton jack and get the entire side of my car up (both wleels at a time).

2. Use tire cleaner and clean them well.

3. Dry and apply a coat of good synthetic wax like Detailers Paradise Epic or their Wheel Sheild. Allow at least an hour for the wax to cure. If you have time to kill, apply a second coat for longevity.

4. Re-install the waxed wheels.

5. When you wash your car, use one of these to wash INSIDE the wheel:



This is a "wheel spoke brush" from Meguiar's (abut $8 IIRC) and has a rubber tip so it won't scratch anything. When washing, scrub back INSIDE the wheel. You'll be amazed at how easy it is to get inside with such a tool. This only adds about 90 seconds per wheel when you wash.

6. Every 6 months (I do mine in the spring and fall) take the wheels off for a proper full washing - even with the brush some dust gets directly behind the lug bolts and such. The wax you put on, however, will protect the wheels and keep the worst of it from adhering - usually it ust wipes right off with a little wheel cleaner.

7. Re-apply wax and re-install - you're good for another 2 seasons of Motoring!

 

If you're going to the trouble of washing your wheels you should wax them as well. They will stay cleaner longer and most of the brake dust will rinse off with the hose. For a while anyway. I use Zaino on mine. It's slick and dust doesn't stick to them as easily. Go for it.

Motor On
Minzila

 

Oh yeah, I plan on waxing them as well. I have a wheel brush but I have the 5-stars and it just doesn't get back behind the spokes very well.

I have new wheels on the way So it's kind of a moot point but I'm probably going to try to sell the set I have now, so I may as well spruce them up.

Thanks guys, I'm off to Sears!

 

that wheel brush wont work too well on 3pc wheels as there is usually
a large recessed area behind the spokes where the rivits connect the
lip to the main rim.

you have to remove the wheels from the car and use a brush (like the
griot's boar's hair brush) from the back side to get to that recessed
area behind the spokes. it needs to have a regular rectangular brush
head, not a conal type.

 

I bought a 3-ton hydraulic jack for about $40 at Home Depot.

When I'm done washing the car, I jack up one side at the front jacking point (chock the opposite rear tire first), and wash the wheels while they are up in the air. I put the car in neutral to do the front, and then put it back into gear and release the parking brake to do the rear.

I sit on the ground to wash the wheels, and can get my wash mitt (the one for the wheels only) around back and rotate the wheel to do each section. I get the entire wheel clean, behind the spokes and all. Works great, and takes less time than struggling from the front to get behind there, especially where the calipers are.

Zip

 

Sorry to side-track the thread, kenchan, but what's the diff between Epic and Hydro?

Zip