Valve stem leaking

Message

jonnythan · #1 Unread post by **jonnythan** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 2:51 am

I've got a leak from the center of the valve stem on my front tire.

If I tighten down the valve cap, the leak stops (or almost stops). I suspect there's something wrong with the little pin inside the stem.

Is there a way I can tighten or fix this without having to bring the whole tire into a shop?

Johnj · #2 Unread post by **Johnj** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 3:28 am

Did you try looking here? I got mine at the local chain auto parts store.

jonnythan · #3 Unread post by **jonnythan** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 3:30 am

Johnj wrote:Did you try looking here? I got mine at the local chain auto parts store.

Well I don't really know anything about valve stems, and it's tough finding basic info about how they work and whether you can repair them.

I have a tubed tire. If I need a whole new valve stem, I need to bring the wheel into a shop and have them put a new tube in.

I'm trying to figure out if there's a way to repair the stem without having to do that.

Johnj · #4 Unread post by **Johnj** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 3:41 am

One end is the wrench to tighten or loosen the inner piece, one is a tap to repair the inner threads and one is a die to repair the outer threads. If you can repair stem this tool will do it. And for less then $2.00 how can you go wrong?

jonnythan · #5 Unread post by **jonnythan** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 3:53 am

Johnj wrote:One end is the wrench to tighten or loosen the inner piece, one is a tap to repair the inner threads and one is a die to repair the outer threads. If you can repair stem this tool will do it. And for less then $2.00 how can you go wrong?

Ah, excellent. So I can use one of these tools to tighten the inner piece and I should be all set?

No doubt I can pick one of these tools up at Autozone then.

Thanks!

#6 Unread post by **Big B** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 7:02 am

a real small precision slotted screwdriver will work to tighten the valve core. i've done that a bunch of times when i couldn't find my valve core tool

jonnythan · #7 Unread post by **jonnythan** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 2:41 pm

I picked up the tool at NAPA for about $2.50 and used it to tighten the inside stem.

Worked like a charm. Thanks guys.