Higher quality valve stems?

[ukiltmybrutha]

I mount and balance my own wheels and tires with a HF manual tire changer and bubble balancer.

I did this on my Ford Excursion 7.3 4x4 which is the family vehicle.

All has been well but only a year has passed and all four new valve stems have rotted out. I can't believe it.

I used some Amazon Chinesium ones but this has never been a problem for me in the past. I did plastidip the wheels and the plastidip did end up on them as I was a bit lazy.

I wonder if that did them in or if they are absolute garbage.

Here are the ones that I used: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B1DMRHKH/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Either way, I don't want to make that mistake again whether it be the plastidip or whatever.

The vehicle is mostly garage kept and otherwise parked on a concrete slab.

Any suggestions for good valve stems moving forward? I know that there are the types that you don't need to break the bead and I am familiar with those but I have a whole herd of vehicles at home and others will need to be changed with regular valve stems.

I don't mind breaking the bead in that case.

Also discussions on the type where I don't need to break the bead are welcome too. With the weather, it will be a while before they get here unfortunately even with Prime.

Thanks.

 

[LopezBart]

Metal valve stems will last far longer and are less subject to accidental damage.

 

[cvairwerks]

My SD 7.3 has metal valve stems. Wouldn't use anything else on it, mainly because tire pressures run between 60 and 80 psig on it.

 

[RTM]

Both my car and Tacoma truck run metal stems

 

[nicks78camaro]

We mount thousands of tires a year and haven't had a comeback from a rotted rubber valve stem we installed at time of service. I'd say either the plastidip did it or the cheap Amazon stems did it.

 

[B_Bimmer]

Cheap chinese rubber is garbage. My favorite is cheap kids atv and motorcycle rubber brake components. They make it a year tops.

 

[PCustoms]

How do metal stems mount on cars/trucks?

I've replaced a few in the tractors, I assume they're different

 

[LopezBart]

How do metal stems mount on cars/trucks?

LMGTFY: https://www.speedwaymotors.com/the-toolbox/how-to-install-bolt-in-metal-valve-stems/29973

 

[PCustoms]

LMGTFY: https://www.speedwaymotors.com/the-toolbox/how-to-install-bolt-in-metal-valve-stems/29973

Thanks, didn't ask how to install a bolt in valve stem, as I said, I've done several tractors.

Are you confirming that cars/trucks are the same style?

 

[whateg01]

I use rubber valve stems and it does seem like the cheap ones have gotten cheaper. I still have a few I bought off of eBay years ago that sell to last years without issue. I more recently bought some from Amazon that didn't last a year. The last ones I bought were slime brand and so far they seem to be ok.

I like metal valve stems but sometimes they just don't make sense or don't look right with the wheels.

 

[RTM]

Thanks, didn't ask how to install a bolt in valve stem, as I said, don't several contractors.

Are you confirming that cars/trucks are the same style?

That looks like the ones on my vehicles.

Due to safety concerns, I don't get to go into the tire bay to watch anymore.

You might want to fix your voice typo, or autocorrect in bold above. Took me a minute to sound it out.

 

[PCustoms]

You might want to fix your voice typo, or autocorrect in bold above. Took me a minute to sound it out.

Thanks.

Phone must have updated and turned something back on, autocorrect/complete has been horrendous suddenly.

I know I type something correct then I go back and read it and I don't even know WTF I wrote

 

[whateg01]

Phone must have updated and turned something back on, autocorrect/complete has been horrendous suddenly.

I know I type something correct then I go back and read it and I don't even know WTF I wrote

I use voice to text. It's definitely gotten worse lately. I keep thinking of AI can write a novel, why can't it put words together that sound like what I said in a way that makes sense? I hate when I see it put the words I said on the screen, then replaced them all with something non-sensical. I've stopped fixing it. It's almost a funny game now to see how bad it can butcher something.

 

[PCustoms]

I use voice to text. It's definitely gotten worse lately.

I have a relative that, when she texts I just call back to see what's up.

I only use it for urgent things when driving. Here i think predictive or swipe got turned back on

 

[PMD1966]

Cheap chinese rubber is garbage. My favorite is cheap kids atv and motorcycle rubber brake components. They make it a year tops.

I have used Milton brand valve stems with good results.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Metal valve stems will last far longer and are less subject to accidental damage.

Milton TR-416

 

[Rockable]

About 15 years ago, I had a local chain mount me up 4 new tires. Over the course of 6 months, I had 3 flats, ruining 2 of them. It always occurred atfreeway speeds. I'm a little slow on the uptake but I was determined to find the problem. Turned out to be faulty valve stems. At highway speeds, centrifugal force was laying them over some and they would just fail catastrophically. No warning, just instant flat. It happens. I try to use metal stems now.

 

[Raisedonadeere]

I bought a commercial grade zeroturn mower, top quality brand, 4 years ago that withing 6 months tires would be half flat next use. I assumed it was my usual bug-a-boo of thorns causing slow leaks, but slime did not correct the problem as it usually did. Slime did fix a couple of actual leaks i caught with soap bubbles but still the annoying need to be constantly pumping the tires. I got desperate one day and took a wheel off and took it to the cattle water trough. Bubbles around the valve stem. It literally had become gooey. I still don't know why I didn't notice something while pumping them up.

Checked the other tires and they were rotted also. I didn't appreciate the job of changing out all the valve stems and on the 3rd and 4th tire I ripped the stem out with vice grips and forced the new stem in with a blunt screw driver. YMMV but the slow leak down solved.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Milton makes several different QUALITY rubber valve stems of various different length including angled.

 

[rlitman]

I'd stick with the plain rubber valve stems. Normal rubber valve stems are made of EPDM. The exact same material as your tires. The only reason the rubber shouldn't last as long exposed to the elements as your tires, would be because some chemical attacked the rubber of your stems, that your tires somehow weren't exposed to.

I'm sticking with the rubber valve stems whenever possible and not the bolt on. While the bolt on type may seem to be stronger, if you hit it with something, the brass inside is likely to break, and now you've got a problem. The rubber stems just bend.

What's most important is using the correct sized stem. Lots of tire shops don't pay attention or don't stock every size, and if you put a 1-1/2" stem in a wheel meant for 1-1/4", you're now potentially exposing the stem to impact when it should have been hidden away behind the rim.

 

[2oolhound]

Been driving over 50 years. I never used to replace valve stems when buying new tires. In the last 15 years things have changed and tires on several vehicles develop slow leaks. My Jeep has 3 leaky tires.

 

[308guru]

Maybe stop by a Discount Tire or similar shop and buy some valve stems from them. Whatever they are using I'm sure is better than your Amazon purchase.

 

[Schurkey]

Not recent. But as usual, you can guess the guilty party selling garbage...

Ohio Importer Recalls Six Million Chinese Tire Stem Valves As NHTSA Opens Probe into 30 Million More - Safety Research & Strategies, Inc.

OXFORD, NORTH CAROLINA -- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating Chinese-made replacement tire valve stems sold by Dill Air Controls for potential defects, while an Ohio importer of the product recalls six million valve stems made by the same company, because of...

www.safetyresearch.net

 

[Rockable]

Not recent. But as usual, you can guess the guilty party selling garbage...

Ohio Importer Recalls Six Million Chinese Tire Stem Valves As NHTSA Opens Probe into 30 Million More - Safety Research & Strategies, Inc.

OXFORD, NORTH CAROLINA -- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating Chinese-made replacement tire valve stems sold by Dill Air Controls for potential defects, while an Ohio importer of the product recalls six million valve stems made by the same company, because of...

www.safetyresearch.net

Those are probably the ones I got! Time frame is right and I'm in NC.

 

[csp]

I use the Milton high pressure stems that have a brass insert. These are a pull through install just like the standard rubber ones.

My 97 F350 came from the factory with this type and still has the original.

 

[noid]

You can normally get high quality valve stems from OEM dealers; they spec higher then most.

Example: PN 36121116326 from BMW.

They come with metal caps that have a seal inside.



Made in Germany:

 

[bonneyman]

Tech tire Repairs seems to have alot of valves and valve tools. Never used them personally but the selection looks awesome.

Valve Stems, Caps, Cores, & Tools Archives

Shop TECH's complete line of valve stems, caps, cores, and valve tools for passenger, light truck, and commercial tires. Professional-grade valve supplies trusted by tire technicians worldwide.

products.techtirerepairs.com

 

[dscheidt]

Tech tire Repairs seems to have alot of valves and valve tools. Never used them personally but the selection looks awesome.

Valve Stems, Caps, Cores, & Tools Archives

Shop TECH's complete line of valve stems, caps, cores, and valve tools for passenger, light truck, and commercial tires. Professional-grade valve supplies trusted by tire technicians worldwide.

products.techtirerepairs.com

Tech tire is who I bought tire mounting and repair consumables from when I ran a garage, 20 years ago. Good products across the board.

 

[ukiltmybrutha]

I did techtirerepairs in the TR600 flavor so I can also install these on the cars if necessary even if it's overkill (would rather that than rot hopefully)....perfect for the MK4 ALH TDIs as I tend to run higher pressures anyways for fuel economy.

Crossing fingers!

Thanks for all of this.

 

[ukiltmybrutha]

You can normally get high quality valve stems from OEM dealers; they spec higher then most.

Example: PN 36121116326 from BMW.

They come with metal caps that have a seal inside.



Made in Germany:

Scary part is that is that the rotten Amazon valve stems say "made in Germany" on the back. Absolutely identical there.

Not convinced that the plastidip had anything to do with this. I know that I have missed with plastidip many a time and landed it on tires but never any cracking.

 

[pbon]

Plastidip is rubber can be used to coat rubber. It should not damage rubber valve stems. Maybe they were cheap junk or maybe they were old and about to fail anyway. Try some higher quality ones like those BMW rubber ones if they fit and are the right length or look for quality aftermarket metal ones. I use metal ones on all my cars, but most of those cars came with metal ones.

 

[VolvoRyan]

You can normally get high quality valve stems from OEM dealers; they spec higher then most.

Example: PN 36121116326 from BMW.

They come with metal caps that have a seal inside.

I'm assuming BMW valve stems will fit my old Volvos. I sorta question what Volvo might sell these days. BMW/MB seems do do better with "heritage" parts quality.

Good, old-school valve stems can be hard to find in these days of TPMS. I'd rather pay more for a known good, than pay to have the tires remounted/balanced because I went cheap.

Thanks!

-Ryan

 

[308guru]

Is there a "standard" for dimensions of the hole where valves stems mount? Those BMW ones look quite nice, just wondering if they are all a fairly universal fit.

 

[dscheidt]

Is there a "standard" for dimensions of the hole where valves stems mount? Those BMW ones look quite nice, just wondering if they are all a fairly universal fit.

Automotive valve stems are almost all 29/64 holes, with some things having 5/8. lengths vary, 1 1/4" is common 1 1/2 a little less so, but common enough. There are longer ones, which aren't common except on some trucks. Too short, it's hard to put air in, too long, it's subject to damage.

 

[ukiltmybrutha]

Is there a "standard" for dimensions of the hole where valves stems mount? Those BMW ones look quite nice, just wondering if they are all a fairly universal fit.

Are you talking about the hole diameter or length? If so, it is .453 inches and one larger size that doesn't apply to me. Other than that there are the lengths that dscheidt mentioned that come in sizes like TR412/413/414/415 etc.

 

[ukiltmybrutha]

Plastidip is rubber can be used to coat rubber. It should not damage rubber valve stems. Maybe they were cheap junk or maybe they were old and about to fail anyway. Try some higher quality ones like those BMW rubber ones if they fit and are the right length or look for quality aftermarket metal ones. I use metal ones on all my cars, but most of those cars came with metal ones.

Like I mentioned, I went with the vendor that boneyman and dscheidt mentioned.

I bought the minimum required for free shipping and I have enough vehicles and rim combinations not to waste them and even if I do I am still (hopefully) ahead of buying them at my local tire shop which was still a good idea.

TR600HP HI-PRESS SNAP-IN VALVE (.453 Rim Hole) 1 1/4" Length

High pressure tubeless rubber valve, for .453 rim hole, 1-1/4".

products.techtirerepairs.com

Thanks for the info on the plastidip.

I will not be messing with the BMW ones mentioned above because the ones that rotted like that were 100% replicas of the ones pictured. There must be counterfit China bombs out there which is damn scary.

 

[noid]

Like I mentioned, I went with the vendor that boneyman and dscheidt mentioned.

I bought the minimum required for free shipping and I have enough vehicles and rim combinations not to waste them and even if I do I am still (hopefully) ahead of buying them at my local tire shop which was still a good idea.

TR600HP HI-PRESS SNAP-IN VALVE (.453 Rim Hole) 1 1/4" Length

High pressure tubeless rubber valve, for .453 rim hole, 1-1/4".

products.techtirerepairs.com

Thanks for the info on the plastidip.

I will not be messing with the BMW ones mentioned above because the ones that rotted like that were 100% replicas of the ones pictured. There must be counterfit China bombs out there which is damn scary.

With a brand name like "JiiinMiiin" there is a 100% chance you bought aliexpress valves.

Most tire shops just get their valves in bulk from through one of the parts houses like napa.

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/NTH904153?ir=2&r-src=BR:pDP:SP:Belowproductdescription&ppid=NTH90413

I'm assuming BMW valve stems will fit my old Volvos. I sorta question what Volvo might sell these days. BMW/MB seems do do better with "heritage" parts quality.

Good, old-school valve stems can be hard to find in these days of TPMS. I'd rather pay more for a known good, than pay to have the tires remounted/balanced because I went cheap.

Thanks!

-Ryan

Is there a "standard" for dimensions of the hole where valves stems mount? Those BMW ones look quite nice, just wondering if they are all a fairly universal fit.

Pretty well every wheel uses the standard 0.453 inches (11.5mm) size hole except for large truck tires that sometimes use 0.625 inches (15.9mm). So yes those valves should fit your Volvo wheels.

MB equivalent is PN 0004000213, looks identical to the BMW valve, with metal cap and all.

Did I mention they come with valve caps? Just kidding, but really these caps are a pleasure, the knurling on them and the seal inside just work. You can get them separately under PN 36121120779, and I've replaced all my plastic caps on all vehicles with them.

For metal stems, I pretty much only trust BBS, but ill be honest, even on my forged BBS wheels I tend to run rubber TR413 as I like the peace of mind that there is no nut to potentially back off. With BBS wheels though sometimes you have no choice because they have 5.5mm or 8mm valve stem holes that require metal stems.

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