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Old 10-25-2011, 08:26 PM   #1
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Flat tire - the final chapter (hopefully!)

I had my annual bearing/brake service today, and the mech found that my left rear tire stem (came OEM as my spare) was about to break. The flat I had last month (see Flat Tire thread) my well have been caused by the same problem. Stopped at a tire store on the way home. Bottom line -- 5 steel stems, $75. Peace of mind, priceless.
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Old 10-25-2011, 08:49 PM   #2
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Re: Flat tire - the final chapter (hopefully!)

I'm having a hard time making sense of this scenario.

You have a 19' which isn't all that old. Your experience would suggest that those tire stems were only good for a year or two. There has to be something else going on.

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Old 10-25-2011, 09:35 PM   #3
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Re: Flat tire - the final chapter (hopefully!)

I don't know, but you can get one opinion and advice at:

http://www.aa1car.com/library/tr20134.htm

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Old 10-25-2011, 10:14 PM   #4
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Re: Flat tire - the final chapter (hopefully!)

Metal valve stems are the best and safest to use. Another type rubber valve stems made for trailers are stiffer and short do not stick out past the wheel like car and truck stems do.
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Old 10-25-2011, 11:41 PM   #5
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Re: Flat tire - the final chapter (hopefully!)

Here's a link to the Casita Forum that outlines the problem with tire stems

http://www.casitaforum.com/invboard/...__1#entry31306
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Old 10-25-2011, 11:53 PM   #6
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Re: Flat tire - the final chapter (hopefully!)

I remember reading a few years ago on trailer forums about a "problem" with Goodyear Marathons going flat that as time went on looked like the root cause was a large bunch of bad stems. I don't think I ever saw any definitive results, though. And, that's all in the past for me know. I'd just recommend that everyone check their stems regularly.
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Old 10-26-2011, 01:55 AM   #7
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Re: Flat tire - the final chapter (hopefully!)

Quote:
Originally Posted by gbaglo
I don't know, but you can get one opinion and advice at:

http://www.aa1car.com/library/tr20134.htm

baglo
Hi: gbaglo...Great article!!! I was caught in this "weak link" theory finding out that the stems were cracked on our 07 Escape 5.0. I towed right in to my OK Tire Dealer and gladly paid $10 per tire...even the unused spare was cracked... to have them replaced. So far were still towing with the standard equipment Goodyear Marathon Radials... without incident!!! Alf
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Old 10-26-2011, 10:02 AM   #8
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Re: Flat tire - the final chapter (hopefully!)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Laura & Rick
Here's a link to the Casita Forum that outlines the problem with tire stems

http://www.casitaforum.com/invboard/...__1#entry31306
Can't view thread without registering.

There is nothing wrong with a good quality rubber valve stem, and in fact they have many advantages with their flexibility. The big thing is to check their condition, as you should with any stems, and change them when the tires are changed.
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Old 10-28-2011, 09:45 PM   #9
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Re: Flat tire - the final chapter (hopefully!)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

There is nothing wrong with a good quality rubber valve stem, and in fact they have many advantages with their flexibility. The big thing is to check their condition, as you should with any stems, and change them when the tires are changed.
A bit more than a year ago, there was a rather lengthy topic on FiberglassRV about rubber stems and junk coming out of China. This is a direct quote: "I did a search on the internet, and sure enough, as many as 30 million defective made in China valve stems are in circulation. They are made of plain rubber and typically fail in a couple of years as they are not UV and ozone resistant. "

You can read the entire topic here: http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...ems-42466.html, the title is "Check your rubber tire valve stems"
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Old 10-28-2011, 11:11 PM   #10
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Re: Flat tire - the final chapter (hopefully!)

30 million defective valve stems sounds like a lot, until you read this keeping in mind that each vehicle has probably four tires and a spare:

According to the US Bureau of Transit Statistics for 2008 there are 255,917,664 registered passenger vehicles. Of these, 137,079,843 were classified as automobiles, while 101,234,849 were classified as "Other 2 axle, 4 tire vehicles," presumably SUVs and pick-up trucks. Yet another 6,790,882 were classified as vehicles with 2 axles and 6 tires and 2,215,856 were classified as "Truck, combination." There were approximately 7,752,926 motorcycles in the US in 2008.

According to cumulative data[1] by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) the number of motor vehicles has also increased steadily since 1960, only stagnating once in 1997 and declining from 1990 to 1991. Otherwise the number of motor vehicles has been rising by an estimated 3.69 million each year since 1960 with the largest annual growth between 1998 and 1999 as well as between 2000 and 2001 when the number of motor vehicles in the United States increased by eight million.[1] Since the study by the FHA the number of vehicles has increased by approximately eleven million, one of the largest recorded increases. The largest percentage increase was between the years of 1972 and 1973 when the number of cars increased by 5.88%.

But, I will have a look at my stems tomorrow.

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Old 10-29-2011, 08:59 AM   #11
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Re: Flat tire - the final chapter (hopefully!)

I did a quick google search and could find only one valve stem made here...the Surevalve"
http://www.hcwsinc.com/

All the rubber valve stems I saw were made in China. From what I read, some batches were produced with UV/Ozone resistant rubber; others were not. I am going to add a valve-stem perusal to my pre-flight walk around list for both my car and truck.

Anyone have any opinions for metal valve stems vs rubber?

Dave
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Old 10-29-2011, 10:49 AM   #12
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Re: Flat tire - the final chapter (hopefully!)

Hi: Garand...Metal stems are good for your dump truck or bus, but I don't think necessary for your trailer or light vehicles. Trouble is finding the good rubber ones in a sea of baddies!!! Vigilance and periodic checks are the best defence IMHO.
As far as Baglos stats... I never was good at math. Alf
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Old 10-29-2011, 11:13 AM   #13
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Re: Flat tire - the final chapter (hopefully!)

Are you suggesting that I understood what I was posting?

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Old 10-29-2011, 11:25 AM   #14
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Re: Flat tire - the final chapter (hopefully!)

$75 to change out all 5 stems for steel. Now I don't have to do a pre-flight inspection (scenario - you're just about to roll, you do the check, and --oh, crap! you find a valve going bad), and the stems should pretty much last the life of the wheel. Once again, peace of mind.

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