Stuck valve stem caps
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 854
Likes: 17
From: Florida
Stuck valve stem caps
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.
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.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 854
Likes: 17
From: Florida
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.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,441
Likes: 5
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.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 6,757
Likes: 5
From: Corvallis, OR
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.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 854
Likes: 17
From: Florida
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
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