valve stem question
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Junior User
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valve stem question
So I finally decided to buy new tires. Left my truck with the tire place, and got a call about an hour later saying they cant put tires on my truck. Apparently I have bolt in valve stems, and they do not carry or install them. I also have two different size lug nuts on my truck, and they refuse to work on that as well. (I guess they only have one size socket?)
Anyhow, I called a few other tire places, and found one that said if I provide the valve stems, they will install them for me. My question is what size do I need? Truck is a 90 f250 with stock steel wheels.
Thanks
Anyhow, I called a few other tire places, and found one that said if I provide the valve stems, they will install them for me. My question is what size do I need? Truck is a 90 f250 with stock steel wheels.
Thanks
Clueless spectator!
Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Denver, CO
My 93 has stock steel rims that aren't bolt ons, I wonder if it a PO mod? If you have two different size lug nuts on stock rims it probably means that some of them are not correct, which is probably why the first shop wont work on them. It's a liability issue. Lug nuts are cheap enough though. Cant help you with stem size, bur a micrometer would tell you.
Good luck,
Mac.
Good luck,
Mac.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
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A lot of morons in shops these days. Your wheels can accept regular rubber valve stems, some people just opt to spend a little more on the metal screw in kind. There is nothing special or magical about them, as a tire shop they should know that.
How did you get different size lug nuts on it?
How did you get different size lug nuts on it?
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Lug nuts are all stock size. Just different socket size. 2 are off of a junkyard f250 with chrome lug nuts.
I was told on an f250 you have to use high pressure bolt on valve stems, because the press in ones are only good up to 65 psi. They also said the regular press in valve stems would not work on my wheels.
I was told on an f250 you have to use high pressure bolt on valve stems, because the press in ones are only good up to 65 psi. They also said the regular press in valve stems would not work on my wheels.
Clueless spectator!
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From: Denver, CO
Not sure about the won't work on your rims part, but I have E rated tires on my stock F250 rims at 80 psi with rubber valve stems purchased and installed by a major nationwide tire store that have seen over 5K lb loads on a regular basis, so they are FOS!
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
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Yeah, you need to go somewhere else. Even F350s have rubber valve stems.
And if your metal stems aren't leaking, why replace them?
Semi-trucks have the only wheels that I've always seen only the bolt on kind on. And they are still nothing special.
This is really so basic I'm surprised a 'professional' shop would come up with this nonsense.
And if your metal stems aren't leaking, why replace them?
Semi-trucks have the only wheels that I've always seen only the bolt on kind on. And they are still nothing special.
This is really so basic I'm surprised a 'professional' shop would come up with this nonsense.
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I was always told to have the valve stems replaced when the tires are replaced. I guess I will look for a different tire place tomorrow.
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Clueless spectator!
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From: Denver, CO
I was always told to have the valve stems replaced when the tires are replaced.
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Junior User
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The stems I have hold air fine. I will go back into the shop tomorrow and see if they will just put the tires on and not replace the stems. I hate to deal with them again, but their price is better than anyone else in town by a long shot.
Just got off the phone with my brother, who worked in a tire shop for years. He backed up everything you've all said.
Thanks to all who responded so quickly. You folks are great.
Just got off the phone with my brother, who worked in a tire shop for years. He backed up everything you've all said.
Thanks to all who responded so quickly. You folks are great.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2011
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what a joke. when ever we get in wheels that have metal screw in valve stems we just swap out the cores unless the entire valve stem is in bad shape or the customer wants new ones. 99% of the time we just use the rubber "high pressure" valves for 8 lug trucks. the high pressure valves are for 65psi+.
as long as the only difference in the lug nuts is the socket size and the lug seat and obviously threads are the same, then there is nothing wrong with that.
sounds like you got a lazy shop or a place that doesn't know what they are doing.
as long as the only difference in the lug nuts is the socket size and the lug seat and obviously threads are the same, then there is nothing wrong with that.
sounds like you got a lazy shop or a place that doesn't know what they are doing.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2011
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This is the high pressure, rubber, snap in valve i speak of. 65psi+, although you can use it for less pressure if you want. you will be 100% safe using this valve in your wheels.......
here is the low pressure rubber valve that is only to be used up to a MAX of 65psi, although if we are putting the tires up to 40psi+ we go with the HP valve just to be safe.......
here is the low pressure rubber valve that is only to be used up to a MAX of 65psi, although if we are putting the tires up to 40psi+ we go with the HP valve just to be safe.......
Logistics Pro
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Western Mass
I think that says a lot right there. Shopping around is important, but generally speaking, you get what you pay for. If the price is that much less than anywhere else, you really have to ask why it is that much less.
I'd agree with the others that say look someplace else. If they don't know what they are talking about with the valve stems, they don't know what the hell they are doing.
I'd agree with the others that say look someplace else. If they don't know what they are talking about with the valve stems, they don't know what the hell they are doing.
Clueless spectator!
Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Denver, CO
I think that says a lot right there. Shopping around is important, but generally speaking, you get what you pay for. If the price is that much less than anywhere else, you really have to ask why it is that much less.
I'd agree with the others that say look someplace else. If they don't know what they are talking about with the valve stems, they don't know what the hell they are doing.
I'd agree with the others that say look someplace else. If they don't know what they are talking about with the valve stems, they don't know what the hell they are doing.
as long as the only difference in the lug nuts is the socket size and the lug seat and obviously threads are the same, then there is nothing wrong with that
All that being said, If the price difference is huge, and the tire company will honor their warranty, you might be o.k. with their service, but buyer beware. I would at least try shopping their price around to other stores, sometimes you'll be surprised what a shop will do for a sale! One thing we haven't considered is how many tire stores there are in Western Mass. Both in So Cal and Denver there are as many tire shops as there are opinions, this might not be his case?
Just my $0.02
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2008
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FWIW.. if your valve stems arent leaking... dont change em. Especially the steel valve stems. They last almsot forever as the only rubber on them is inside the wheel so they dont dry rot like the all rubber ones. As far as lug nuts, odd that you have different sizes. Most 1/2" and 9/16" studs each pretty much have thier own size, like 3/4 for 1/2 and 15/16 for 9/16. Unless you have "locking nuts" that require a key and thats what theyre talking about, but regardless they sound like morons.
When i was working at les schwab, were supposed to change valve stems for warranty issues, tire fails due to cracked dry rotted vavle stem etc, they chalk it up to being safe and we just do it. But the metal ones do not have to be changed. Like said above you can change the core if you feel like it or if the core is leaking.
When i was working at les schwab, were supposed to change valve stems for warranty issues, tire fails due to cracked dry rotted vavle stem etc, they chalk it up to being safe and we just do it. But the metal ones do not have to be changed. Like said above you can change the core if you feel like it or if the core is leaking.