Valve stems...do the go bad?

[path1]

Time (or past due) to replace tires that were made in 08. This is on class C. Talking with tire place, tire guy said I should put in new valve stems.

Please don't laugh... I'm really going to have a problem parting with my valve stems:)

When I got this class C I had all the problems with checking air pressure, inflating the tires, etc. Went with couple different systems, of course thay were all supposed to work. Finally spent some time with a tube bender and tweaking the stems just a little and after several trips to a tire "supply" shop (that tire stores buy their supplies from) I wound up with a valve stems that I can use any tire and in any tire position, and best of all no leaks and I can check pressure with wheel simulators on.

(No big secret...Shorty valve extenders on fronts, then a sharp U turn thing, on the rear a long extender that hays nut built in near valve core, and every tire has newer type gator caps, the ones you can thread on other extenders or whatever.) Valve stems are brass color (I assume they are brass, but never put a magnate to them)

So tire guy says I should replace valve stems when replacing tires. When I showed him what I had and it worked, he said I should still replace them "to be safe".

(Talking with wife a dinner last night, she says maybe they get "dizzy" and should be replaced:) I think she was joking (I hope).

Here's the question...besides replacing the rubber gaskets on the stem near valve stem hole in the rim and maybe the valve cores (inside valve stems) what can go wrong? What am I missing? I've never heard of valve stem wearing out?

[DSDP_Don]

Yes....it wasn't clearly stated that the OP had metal stems, but if you read his entire post, it was pretty obvious. In my younger days, I mounted tires for a living. Metal stems don't go bad unless they're struck by a hard object but the rubber slide on seal at their base does over time. I would replace the rubber seals and then check carefully with soapy water after the new tires are installed. They use a nut and washer and often are over tightened by Gorilla employees or under tightened. Typically when most tire stores change tires, the valve core is removed and thrown into a pile with others and then reused later. Most stores wont stock just cores. If you want new cores, they'll probably have to be removed from a new rubber stem.

[Rvpapa]

Ivylog wrote:
Maybe those responding well finally figure out that you have metal stems with a rubber seal that you've bent so that you can get to them.
OP you're not missing anything by replacing the rubber seals and core.

And you really want the responders to waste valuable time by reading the whole post ? :E
Art.

[NewTTcamper]

We had a valve stem go out on our truck which was loaded with our camper. LUCKILY it blew just few minutes after we took a break on the highway. The highway was a steep descent. Should that valve stem blown on that highway, I wouldn't be here to respond!

[john_bet]

FrankShore wrote:
Yes, they do go bad. Get steel stems and be done with worrying!

Not really. I had one go bad. It was a bad rubber seal on it.

[GMandJM]

djgarcia wrote:

FrankShore wrote:
Yes, they do go bad. Get steel stems and be done with worrying!

X1, tires with steel stems loose minimal lbs. of air after being in storage for a month or so:)

x2 Then if you want to add a TPMS later, you'll have the right/required valve stems to do so.

[MarkTwain]

FrankShore wrote:
Yes, they do go bad. Get steel stems and be done with worrying!

X1, tires with steel stems loose minimal lbs. of air after being in storage for a month or so:)

[wa8yxm]

Ok there are two types of valve stems,, Rubber like they normally use on car tires and metal (Brass or steel) like they use on truck tires and some flashy hot-rod type cars.

Rubber stems can go bad and leave you feeling a tad flat.. I have seen it happen several times

Metal stems can as well but.. Well .. Usually this indicates a defect in manufacture, damage or a bad washer. The washer can be easily replaced without replacing the entire item. (It can also indicate a loose nut.. Yes, in addition to loose screws many RVers have a few loose nuts.. Like the screws they are the kind you tighten with the proper tool, a wrench in this case)

But with metal stems.. If they were well made. they should outlast you.

[midnightsadie]

tell them you want the same set up thats on it,

[Ivylog]

Maybe those responding well finally figure out that you have metal stems with a rubber seal that you've bent so that you can get to them.
OP you're not missing anything by replacing the rubber seals and core.

[ncrowley]

Yes, valve stems go bad and they are a common reason for air leaks.

[Tvov]

If you replace rubber parts and cores you should be fine. Just be ready if the tire shop says that it will void any warranties if you don't let them replace the whole valve stem with new.

Valve stems certainly do wear out... I've had bad "cores", had the rubber stems just fall apart with age, had them crack, had rust / dirt cause leaks at their base, etc.

[edatlanta]

I would check around and see you can find stems that are already in the shape/length you need vs extensions. An extension while solving a problem is another potential point for a leak.

[FrankShore]

Yes, they do go bad. Get steel stems and be done with worrying!

[scbwr]

Yes, valve stems can go bad. Conventional wisdom is to put new stems on when you get new tires regardless of whether it's a car, rv, trailer or whatever. Ask about what stems are available and also what extensionns are available to work with your class c.