Chip N' Dale
Austin, TX
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Joined: 10/29/2006
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My 5er is right at 2 years old, and yesterday I spent time in the tire shop for the second time having a flat fixed only to find the problem was a defective valve stem. They are metal stems.
I cannot remember having this problem on car tires. Would it be wise to have all five of my stems replaced, or just the three that have not yet failed? Are others having this problem or am I just a recipient of two lightning strikes? Are the RV manufacturers using cheaper valve stems than the auto manufacturers?
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2K5RKC
Midwest 50001
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Joined: 08/18/2007
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Usually, the only 2 things on a metal stem to fail is the "core" and the "grommet".
The core can be replaced fairly easy, it just screws into the stem (will need a core removal tool) the grommet is a little more involved, some metal stems have the nut that tightens the stem to the wheel on the outside, and some the nut is on the inside. You can take an open end wrench and tighten the nut if it is on the outside, until it feels snug, most of the time that will take care of the leak, and to make sure, put some soapy water on the entire stem and see if it is still leaking. Over a period of time the metal stems need tightened as the rubber grommet will lose its elasticity
Other wise, take it to a tire shop and have them replaced, for peace of mind.
Good luck to you.
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cpaulsen
California
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Joined: 02/18/2005
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There was a big problem with valve stems over the last few years....lots of tire shops had a bunch of bad ones which would seperate as the rubber stem goes thru the rim. Hopefully thats over now.
cpaulsen
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KMC6970
Houston, TX
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Joined: 09/14/2005
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Had same problem. Get some soapy water in spray or brush to cover valve seats. Tighten carefully until bubbles stop. Worked great for me. Good luck.
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JIMNLIN
Big Cabin, OK
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Joined: 09/14/2003
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I've had problems with metal stems long time before foreign made stems were even thought about. My dislikes were rusted in stems/broken off stems from road debree, rocks, heavy brush, ice chunks on the road and leaking seals. I use high pressure rubber (100 psi) OEM, as our 2500/3500 trucks come from the factory with, in all my trailers, cars and trucks.
Jim
'03 2500 Dodge/Cummins HO 3.73 6 speed manual Jacobs
'97 Park Avanue 28' with two slides
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Endricken
Alabama
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Joined: 06/04/2006
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Since Jan, I had a slow leak that was due to a bad valve stem on OEM 05 tire. RV dealer fixed that. Then another leaky 05 tire appeared. Tire Dealer replaced two of my 05 tires due to rot (same side). Meanwhile, seven year old tires on our minivan just got blessed by tire dealer as good for another six months at least...(just driving around town).
Retired USAF
Silver 05 Dodge RAM LB CTD Duallie 4Speed Auto SWD 3.73, Westin Sportsman Grill & Taillight Guards, Bully steps, Husky Mudguards, Retractable Ball Hitch, Star Performance Gooseneck Adapter, 05 Keystone Montana Big Sky 3670
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Segel10
Troy, IL
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Joined: 05/10/2007
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Okay, I have a question also. I just purchased a Tire Monitoring system. The sensors mount to the end of the valve stems and they recommend metal valve stems for use with the system. Was going to replace the current ones with metal before starting out this year and after reading this I am wondering. Does anyone run with a pressure monitoring system using the other valve stems? Problems???
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BB_TX
McKinney, Texas
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Joined: 04/04/2005
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Keystone recently issued a valve stem recall notice on some Keystone brands with steel wheels. They will replace the valve stems under warranty if yours is one of those. Call Keystone with your serial number to see if you qualify.
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Rug
GREED COUNTY, Boerne Texas
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Joined: 12/27/2001
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Our unit is a 1998. It has metal valve stems. We run a tire
monitoring system on it. We are on our third set of tires. We have never had a problem with leaks. Just have to replace tires because they get old.
Glen & Dee Ann
Truck
5th wheel
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USA in a Chevrolet
Manahawkin, New Jersey
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Joined: 02/25/2007
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Segel10 wrote:Okay, I have a question also. I just purchased a Tire Monitoring system. The sensors mount to the end of the valve stems and they recommend metal valve stems for use with the system. Was going to replace the current ones with metal before starting out this year and after reading this I am wondering. Does anyone run with a pressure monitoring system using the other valve stems? Problems???
I found out the hard way not to use the Doran tire monitors on rubber stems. My truck had rubber stems & eventually the stem cracked from being flexed by the sensors. At least the montitor worked & notified me I was losing pressure. I've had no problem with any metal stems in the 3 years since. My fiver already had metal stems but not the truck.
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