[Mackpipes]

Scary thing happened this morning on the way into work. One of the valve stems cracked at the base and bled the right rear tire down. I thought the rear felt a little mushy when I turned into the parking garage at work. After parking I got out and I watched the tire go flat in about 20 seconds. I got lucky on this one. If the stem had failed on the track or on 395 it could have been ugly.
I have been runnnig rubber valve stems with the metal upper stem. I have been meaning to put those Porsche valve stem supports on for the past year. I have them sitting on my work bench at home in my "projects to do" pile. Looks like it's time to get off my a$$ and do it.

Lesson learned: If you are running the valve stems I described above, make sure they have supports. Also, check, inflate, and make sure you collapsable spare holds the 40 psi it needs to get you home.

[BillJ]

did your spare go flat too Ted? 8)

[Mackpipes]

We'll see. I've let it sit in the garage on the inflated spare for the past 3 hours. If it holds the pressure, I'll drive on it.......very carefully.

[BillJ]

Lets hope so. Where are you working? maybe can arrange a follow behind to make sure you make it at least part of the way...

[}{arlequin]

since those cans shoot rubberized goop into the tire for sealing, there's a good chance it'll seal up the stem as well, the only problem I've heard with the fix-a-flat is the amount of cleanup and scraping you have to do on the rim when you get the tire off. seems like a big pita, then again, being stuck in the middle of nowhere may be worse

he he, funny sig, Noah.

[Mackpipes]

Well, the spare held. I made it to ASG from the Capitol. Big thanks to Taylor for letting me break the cardinal rule of shop ettiquet (sp) by stopping by late on a Friday afternoon without an appointment and wait for the car. I owe many beers for that one. He had me out the door in 5 minutes. Although I don't recommend just showing up without an appointment, I'd HIGHLY recommend this shop for their expertise and customer service. Top notch!

Bill and Noah, thanks very much for the offers of help. That's what makes this board tight. 8)

[Jazzbass]

The rubber valve stem thing always kind of bothered me, so with my last set of tires I bought a set of all metal ones that bolt onto the the rim. Nothing to flex and break. I think all 4 were like $7.

[Mackpipes]

Chris, Where'd you get them?

[cmartin]

Good to hear you made it back safe. It's a scary situation to say the least.


FWIW When I had mine replaced I asked the tire guys about the metal version too. They said they have had more trouble with the metals ones leaking so they dont use them unless they the customer insists. I'm not sure if the metal version requires special installation, but they convinced me to stay with rubber.

[Jazzbass]

Originally Posted by Mackpipes

Chris, Where'd you get them?

PepBoys here in Germantown.

I've had mine of for over a year and no leaking. But, if there were, I imagine it'd be a slow leak (that would hopefully be fixed by tightening it) as opposed to a major failure at speed. I'll take slow leak over valve stem snapping of any day.