maintenance

Tire Rotation

for 1970 AMC Rebel Machine 390ci V8 · RWD

Difficulty

Easy

Time

30 min

Tools

Steps

✓Fact-checked. Built from OLP's spec database, then independently fact-checked line by line with every correction applied. Master-tech sign-off by Chris Hackleman is queued. Cross-check torque values against the factory manual, and stop if anything looks unsafe. How our data is made.

Rotating tires on a 1970 AMC Rebel Machine to promote even tire wear and extend tire life using the appropriate rotation pattern for the vehicle's rear-wheel drive configuration.

Warnings

⚠️Never work under a vehicle supported only by a jack. Always use jack stands rated for the vehicle weight.

⚠The 1970 Rebel Machine is equipped with heavy bias-ply or radial tires on steel or aluminum wheels. Ensure rotation pattern is appropriate for tire type.

ℹ️Check wheel stud condition during rotation. The Rebel Machine uses 5-lug bolt pattern with potential for corrosion on 50+ year old studs.

Tools required

Hydraulic floor jackEssential

Jack stands (4)Essential

Lug wrench or 3/4-inch socketEssential

Torque wrench (0-150 ft-lb range)Essential

Wheel chocksEssential

Wire brush

Anti-seize compound

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Preparation

Park vehicle on level, solid surface and engage parking brake
Place wheel chocks behind rear wheels if starting with front, or front wheels if starting with rear
Loosen all lug nuts on all four wheels approximately one turn while vehicle is still on the ground
Verify tire type and determine appropriate rotation pattern: for non-directional tires use rearward cross pattern (front tires move straight back, rear tires cross to opposite front); for directional tires use front-to-rear pattern on same side

Procedure

1
Raise and support the vehicle
Using the hydraulic floor jack, raise the front of the vehicle at the frame rail or designated front jacking point. Place jack stands under solid frame mounting points near each front wheel. Lower vehicle onto stands. Repeat process for rear of vehicle, placing jack stands under rear axle housing or frame rails near rear wheels. Ensure all four corners are securely supported before proceeding.
2
Remove all four wheels
Remove the already-loosened lug nuts completely from each wheel, keeping lug nuts organized by wheel position. Remove all four wheels and tires from the vehicle. Place them on the ground in a pattern that matches their current position on the vehicle to avoid confusion.
3
Inspect wheel mounting surfaces and studs
Use a wire brush to clean any rust, debris, or corrosion from the wheel hub mounting surfaces and wheel studs. Inspect each stud for damage, stripping, or excessive corrosion. On a 50+ year old vehicle, verify studs are not protruding unevenly or showing signs of looseness in the hub. Check brake drum or rotor condition visible through the wheel opening.
4
Inspect tires for wear and damage
Examine each tire for tread depth, uneven wear patterns, cracks, bulges, or embedded objects. Note any irregular wear which may indicate alignment, suspension, or inflation issues. Verify tire pressures match manufacturer specifications (typically 24-28 PSI for the Rebel Machine). Document tire positions and condition for future reference.
5
Rotate tires to new positions
Move tires to their new positions according to the determined rotation pattern. For rearward cross pattern (most common): move left front tire to left rear position, right front to right rear, left rear to right front, and right rear to left front. For directional tires: move front tires straight to rear on same side, rear tires straight to front on same side. Ensure tires are positioned correctly if they have inside/outside designations.
6
Install wheels and hand-tighten lug nuts
Mount each wheel onto its hub, aligning the lug holes. If using aluminum wheels, apply a thin coat of anti-seize to the hub face (not the studs). Thread all lug nuts by hand onto the studs for each wheel. Hand-tighten in a star pattern to ensure the wheel is seated evenly against the hub before using tools.
7
Preliminary tighten lug nuts
Using the lug wrench, tighten lug nuts in a star (criss-cross) pattern to snug the wheel firmly against the hub. Do not fully torque at this stage while vehicle is on jack stands. Make three complete passes around each wheel in the star pattern to ensure even seating.
8
Lower vehicle to ground
Raise the vehicle slightly with the floor jack to unload the jack stands, then remove all four jack stands. Carefully lower the vehicle completely to the ground. Rock the vehicle slightly to settle the suspension.
9
Final torque lug nuts
Using a torque wrench, tighten all lug nuts to proper specification in a star pattern. For the 1970 AMC Rebel Machine with standard steel or aluminum wheels, torque lug nuts to 75-85 ft-lbs (verify in owner's manual if available). Make at least two complete passes in the star pattern on each wheel to ensure even torque distribution and proper seating.

Reassembly

No reassembly steps required for this procedure

Verification

Test drive the vehicle at low speed and verify no vibration, wobbling, or unusual noises from the wheels
After driving 25-50 miles, re-check lug nut torque on all four wheels to ensure they have remained properly tightened
Verify tire pressures are correct at all four positions and adjust as needed
Record the mileage and date of rotation for maintenance tracking; tires should typically be rotated every 5,000-7,500 miles

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