Ok, so this is pretty dumb, but really annoying.

I bought a few of those stupid valve stem caps at AutoZone and now three of them have corroded to the point where I can't get them off - the valve stem just spins. I've tried PB Blaster and a vise-grip on the stem, only succeeded in scraping the stem.

Anyone had this happen - any ideas? The reason it happened is because I never check my tire pressure - just kidding - I live a few hundred feet from the ocean and you can watch things corrode - it was probably only a month or two since they were off.

 

Might be time to just take it in to your local doughnut store for new stems.

 

Well, I am hoping to save that for a last resort. I was just there 6wks ago for a free rotation. I am thinking about chopping the top off the caps so I can spray the PB Blaster in from the other direction.

 

Or drill a hole in the top. You might also (if all else fails) try using some vice grips and smash the cap a little from all directions just to break the seal a little, kinda like how you bash the top of a jar on the counter to break the seal.

 

PB Blaster won't really do anything for corrosion. Try parking it with the valve stems on top so the cap is pointed down and put a drop or two of vinegar around the cap. The vinegar is acidic and should dissolve the corrosion if it can penetrate in.

 

cartmanea - thanks for the idea - I am going to try that today - I was thinking of using muriatic acid, but I didn't want to f-up my rims. Vinegar should be a lot safer. If that doesn't work, I am going to destroy the things

 

....and replace with PLASTIC caps!