Valve Stem Movement

[David B.]

I searched the archives and couldn't find anything on this issue. I had new Diamond Back radials mounted on my '58 back in August. Good careful mounting job. Now I notice that the front valve stems (just the front tires, not the rear ones) are crooked and bump up against the hubcap hole. I've repositioned the hubcaps trying to recenter the stems, but you can see that the stems are at an angle. I could understand the stems shifting if they were attached to a tube (I've had bicycle valve stems go crooked), but with a tubeless car tire, there seems to be no process for this to happen. The weird part is that it's just the front valve stems. The rear stems are straight. Have any of you guys had this issue? If so, how did you fix it? Any problem leaving them crooked? I have front disc brakes but I don't see how that's related. Thanks! Dave

[Paul J.]

Re: Valve Stem Movement

The guy who mounted your tires did not pull the valve stem all the way through. The valve stem has a large bulb shaped area on the end that goes into the wheel. A square groove is cut into this, and that is what fits into the hole in the wheel. The stem is pulled into the wheel from the inside, and if you don't set the groove it can be crooked. Just pull the stem to the side opposite the way it is pointed, and don't be shy with it.

Paul

[David B.]

Re: Valve Stem Movement

Thanks, Paul. I'll look to see if the grooves aren't seated all the way. If not, I'll yank 'em! Dave

[John F.]

Re: Valve Stem Movement

Where eye protection. I blew a valve stem on the front at 65mph back in the 60's. Held on to it and only the valve stem was missing. Put in a new one, inflated to specs and no further problem. I would just jack up that wheel, let the air out, pull the stem out to the groove and then inflate to spec.

[Edward J.]

Re: Valve Stem Movement

Dave, If Pauls fix is not the problem, keep in mind that the valve stems have a brass internal insert and if someone was not careful on the install they can bend causing the stem to be off to the side.

[David B.]

Re: Valve Stem Movement

I checked and found that the grooves ARE seated. John H. (on the "other" forum) came through with the real cause, though. He said that on his '57 with stock wheels, his wheel covers started to "walk" (slowly rotate) after he switched to radials. That's what's going on with mine, but just with the front wheels. Maybe it's only the front wheels because they do the steering. John suggested switching to steel valve stems. That fixed his problem. I'd really like to know why this happens and why I've never seen this issue mentioned anywhere else before. Dave

[Clem Z.]

Re: Valve Stem Movement

I checked and found that the grooves ARE seated. John H. (on the "other" forum) came through with the real cause, though. He said that on his '57 with stock wheels, his wheel covers started to "walk" (slowly rotate) after he switched to radials. That's what's going on with mine, but just with the front wheels. Maybe it's only the front wheels because they do the steering. John suggested switching to steel valve stems. That fixed his problem. I'd really like to know why this happens and why I've never seen this issue mentioned anywhere else before. Dave

i have seen this problem back in the day on most any car with full wheel covers once the sharpness wore off of the covers where they "bite" into the rim.

[David B.]

Re: Valve Stem Movement

For anyone interested in this issue, here's a cool discussion with some solutions: http://tinyurl.com/c9x746n.

Dave