a_flyfisher
PA and MT
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Joined: 12/27/2003
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Does anyone have or know of a good metal valve stem extension to use on the inner rear dually wheels on my F450?
These are 19.5" tires and the outside rims are aluminum with approx. 2" holes - some are circular and others are eliptical.
My local Ford dealer had positioned the inner wheel so that it was impossible to get into the rear tire to check or fill the air in it. I had the rims rotated so it is now possible, but still very hard, to get to the inner tire valve stems.
Thanks.
John
a_flyfisher
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Capt Skup
Southern Maryland/Nantucket
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Joined: 05/14/2004
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I have seen the extension/equalizers sold at truck stops such as Flying J's, but no where else. Curious why the dealer rotated the tires. My owners manual specifically states that rotation is not necessary. I am keeping an eye on the tires(supposed all terrains)wear with depth guage and after 13,000 miles, no appreciable wear. You may have to remove and relocate the tires to gain access to the stems. I am able to check pressure as the tires are located from the factory.
Capt Skup
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a_flyfisher
PA and MT
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Joined: 12/27/2003
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Capt Skup wrote:I have seen the extension/equalizers sold at truck stops such as Flying J's, but no where else. Curious why the dealer rotated the tires. My owners manual specifically states that rotation is not necessary. I am keeping an eye on the tires(supposed all terrains)wear with depth guage and after 13,000 miles, no appreciable wear. You may have to remove and relocate the tires to gain access to the stems. I am able to check pressure as the tires are located from the factory.
Capt. -
I should have said that my dealer relocated, or repositioned, the outside rim relative to the inner rim. He didn't actually rotate the tires. My rims were both scratched when received from the factory and they replaced both of the rear rims. I have now had the tires repositioned to where the inner and outer valve stems are accessed through the same hole, which is the way they came from the factory, and I can now - barely - access the inner tire valve stem.
I was looking at the valve stem extensions from Haltec Corporation, but I don't know what Alcoa's part number is for my aluminum rims, which would facilitate selecting the correct extension. Ford stamps the Ford part number on the rims.
John
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Capt Skup
Southern Maryland/Nantucket
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I admit it is a pain to check pressures and even more fun adding air when needed. I did buy a special chuck for the air line that allows two positions to add the air, does make it much easier. Did not know the aluminum rims were manufactured by Alcoa, they are real nice that is for sure. My problem is the front rim plastic cover over the lugs, I have damaged both doing a bit of "off roading" in the back yard, nailed a small stump with one, something else with the other. Sceeered to find out how much Ford is going to charge me for replacements and I have not found them available online, yet.
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PA12DRVR
Katy, Texas
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Joined: 09/17/2003
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Our local camping world has all sorts of valve extensions that work for the Ford dual wheel setup.
I've used two types: one was just a very short extension (curved) that went on the inner wheel stem: this worked fine, but I also used the flexible SS braided hose extensions that attached to the inner wheel stem and were also attached to a guide mounted on the hubcap.
While I haven't done any real offroading, the braided hose extensions have held up for about 25,000 miles and about 10 trips to the deer lease, which is a pretty rough road.
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a_flyfisher
PA and MT
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PA12DRVR wrote:Our local camping world has all sorts of valve extensions that work for the Ford dual wheel setup.
I've used two types: one was just a very short extension (curved) that went on the inner wheel stem: this worked fine, but I also used the flexible SS braided hose extensions that attached to the inner wheel stem and were also attached to a guide mounted on the hubcap.
While I haven't done any real offroading, the braided hose extensions have held up for about 25,000 miles and about 10 trips to the deer lease, which is a pretty rough road.
I looked at one Camping World store and also on their website and didn't see any that appeared like they would fit my aluminum rims. I could certainly get an extension, but accessing it might be more of a problem than I have now, and haven't seen an extension with clamps that looks like it would work with my rims. I have found ones that fit older Ford F450's.
John
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chadsalt
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Joined: 04/04/2005
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I wouldnt mess with an extension. Do what the big rigs do, Gator caps, straight chuck gauge or inflator.
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a_flyfisher
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My truck has "gator caps" and I have several types of guages, including a straight chuck gauge. The problem is that is nearly impossible to reach the valve on the inside rear tires.
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chadsalt
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a_flyfisher wrote:
My truck has "gator caps" and I have several types of guages, including a straight chuck gauge. The problem is that is nearly impossible to reach the valve on the inside rear tires.
Hmmm.......I guess I dont understand your problem. Is the valve stem too short? On a big rig (22.5 or 24.5) the stem is about 4" long. I will keep an eye out for an F450 today.
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a_flyfisher
PA and MT
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chadsalt wrote:a_flyfisher wrote:
My truck has "gator caps" and I have several types of guages, including a straight chuck gauge. The problem is that is nearly impossible to reach the valve on the inside rear tires.
Hmmm.......I guess I dont understand your problem. Is the valve stem too short? On a big rig (22.5 or 24.5) the stem is about 4" long. I will keep an eye out for an F450 today.
Yes, the stem is very short, but also due to the small size holes in the outer rim (that don't line up with the inside tire valve stem. The guy at the tire place where I took it tried everything he had, plus even tried bending the stem by a small degree, to no avail.
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