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?

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.

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

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.

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.

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

Valve stems...do the go bad? | Good Sam Community

scbwr
Explorer II
Jul 21, 2015
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.
FrankShore
Explorer
Jul 21, 2015
Yes, they do go bad. Get steel stems and be done with worrying!
edatlanta
Explorer
Jul 21, 2015
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.
Tvov
Explorer II
Jul 21, 2015
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.
ncrowley
Explorer II
Jul 21, 2015
Yes, valve stems go bad and they are a common reason for air leaks.
Ivylog
Explorer III
Jul 21, 2015
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.
midnightsadie
Explorer II
Jul 21, 2015
tell them you want the same set up thats on it,
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Jul 21, 2015
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.
MarkTwain
Explorer
Jul 21, 2015
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:)
GMandJM
Explorer
Jul 21, 2015
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.

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Valve stems...do the go bad?

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