tire valve stem annoyance

CJFusco · CJFusco's Garage

The needle in the valve stem on one of my front tires is bent toward the outside rim, causing two problems

1) it leaks air constantly, when the cap is off
2) it makes it impossible to get an accurate pressure reading

Now, I don't want to snap the thing off. Is there an easy way to get it straight again without causing more problems?

Zero10 · 01-26-2004, 09:45 AM

Umm.. well, not exactly.
First thing, make sure it is tight. I can't recall now whether they are lft or right hand thread, but if the valve stem is tight, try straightening it. If you are worried about breaking it, the only other real choice is to replace either the center, or the entire valve stem, depending on what bent (I'm more inclined to think it's the center of the valve itself)

Tishabet · 01-26-2004, 12:08 PM

I would blow the $10 and have a shop put a new stem in.

Zero10 · 01-26-2004, 01:53 PM

Tshabet is probably right. I still say try straightening it first, but if it breaks or whatever, pay them to pull the tire and put in a new valve stem, it's probably better in the long run.

Tishabet · 09:33 PM

Just tonight I had a shop mount a new tire.
I had hit a strange object in a rotary here in Boston. Ended up with a 7-8 inch piece of steel pin, blunt on both ends and drilled for cotter pins, stuck through my tire from entry about 1/2'' from sidewall on inner tread to exit wound 2-3'' up the sidewall. Totaled the tire, which was a good high quality all season speed rated bought as a set of 4 about 1200 miles ago

, so I bought a new one from tirerack.com Got it Sunday, had it mounted tonight. The entire thing (disposal of old tire, putting new valve stem on, putting new wheel on rim, balancing tire) cost me $12.99
Went to a local tire shop/garage. I expected to pay more like $20, but anyway it's worth it (imho) knowing that you're not going to have any unexpected leak developing to surprise you someday.

CSU944 · 01-26-2004, 09:40 PM

If the needle is all that's bent, you shouldn't have to replace the whole stem.

A la Zero10:
Believe it or not, you should be able to get a new schraeder valve center and tool at your local bicycle shop (or tire shop, if they'll sell it to you). Shouldn't cost you more than about 2 bucks. You'll have to re-inflate your tire after you replace the valve, of course.

Lawrence Coppari · 01-27-2004, 04:26 AM

Just change needle like CSU944 said.

CJFusco · CJFusco's Garage

the needle for a bike is the same for a car? I find that hard to believe.

i am pretty sure it is just the needle... you can move the needle around in the valve stem, and the valve stem stays put

Zero10 · 01-27-2004, 06:54 AM

Wait, you can move it around? Perhaps it IS just loose then. Try tightening it before you replace it.

I am pretty sure it is the same needle, just in a different valve stem for the bike tires.
IIRC, there is one company that owns the patent to the center piece (the needle I think you guys called it), that's why they are all the same, but that could just be BS, I heard it from a guy at Canadian tire.

SoCal Driver · SoCal Driver's Garage

Some of the schrader valves are different. Take it to a tire shop and see if they can match it to the valve guts they have.

CSU944 · 01-28-2004, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by CJFusco
the needle for a bike is the same for a car? I find that hard to believe

Same valve, probably a different size, maybe $0.50 more. A Schraeder valve is a Schraeder valve, the design is identical whether you're talking about a bicycle tire, a Yokohama, or a racing slick. I'm sure that your local tire shop will try to convince you otherwise, though.

SoCal Driver · SoCal Driver's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by CSU944
Same valve, probably a different size, maybe $0.50 more. A Schraeder valve is a Schraeder valve, the design is identical whether you're talking about a bicycle tire, a Yokohama, or a racing slick. I'm sure that your local tire shop will try to convince you otherwise, though.

Not so. I had to go through a pile of them to find the right one for the metal stems on the rims that came with the 86 I parted out.

Most of the difference seemed to be in the length of the stem. Some in the shape of the body/sealing shoulders.

Roger Hall · 01-28-2004, 07:15 PM

I am not sure about some of the Porsche rims out there but I have replaced valve stems before and its not hard. You can buy a set of two at the Auto parts store for like $3.00, and it usually doesn't require removing the tire. Just break the bead on the tire push it down somtimes with a pry bry to get enough room to slip the new one into the hole from underneath. Pull it through with a pair of pliers maybe some liquid soap to lubricate the valve stem. 10 or 20 min not including removing the tire.

SoCal Driver · SoCal Driver's Garage

The ones on the 86 rims don't push in. They are aluminum and threaded. These are the ones I had some challenge in finding valves for.

DannoXYZ · 01-29-2004, 11:51 AM

I found a schrader valve repair kit a K-mart once. Had an assortment of valve-cores in different lengths. Came with a valve-core remover that had a thread-chaser as well. If not there, check your auto-parts stores. You should be able to fix this without having to remove the tire and putting a whole stem in.