When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
He's saying he can remove the inflate-through valve cap (aka final piece) that's on it, but then attaching the air chuck directly to the air-flex (aka extension) still doesn't work.
I've received mine but haven't installed them, however looking at mine I'm half expecting to run in to the same problem. It looks like the bowden cable might be too short. The idea I have if that is the case is to possibly insert a small ball bearing (or something) between the extension and the actual valve stem to essentially take up the slack.
I tried putting a BB into each inflate-through valve cap and that fixed my initial problem. The BB fit perfectly and doesn’t seem to cause any leaking, I checked with soapy water. I am now able to check both inner tires and put air in. While down there I noticed that the yellow extension rests on the knife-like edge of the wheel simulator and is now leaking. I’ll attach a photo. I put some electrical tape on the edge to try and minimize further damage. I’m guessing I need the grommet seen in the photos? I’m tempted to scrap the extensions altogether because we are constantly dealing with leaking extensions after having any tire work done. I saw some referring to an air chuck that can reach the inner valve. Do many people use that or are these extensions a necessary evil? I’m holding the extension off the simulator edge in the photo.
(eg... at the area where scraping against the wheel simulator hand hole edge? at the threads to the attaching valve stem? etc)
WHEN do you find the extension to be leaking?
(eg... all the time? only when checking pressure or attempting to add pressure?)
It isn't clear to me if you have genuine Air-Flexx extensions from Germany, or if knockoffs are already on the market from China... but the genuine German made Air-Flexx can be split in half and still not leak "all the time", because the only time that the tire's pressure is admitted into the extension is when the cable inside the extension is mechanically pressed by the physical force of a push pin acting against the BB that you inserted. That physical force is mechanical, not pressurization. So the only time a genuine Air-Flexx can "leak" is when an inflator or gauge is actively engaging the cable inside of the extension.
What kind of valve stems are in your wheels? All metal clamp in? Or high pressure snap in?
-I can feel the air leaking out with my finger. Soapy water on finger while pressed on extension confirmed bubbles.
(eg... an audible hiss? a soap bubble test? etc)
-If I move the extension away from its normal straight position a hiss can be heard. The more I ‘bend’ the extension the louder the hiss.
Where did you find the extension to be leaking?
(eg... at the area where scraping against the wheel simulator hand hole edge? at the threads to the attaching valve stem? etc)
-Right at the scraped area.
WHEN do you find the extension to be leaking?
(eg... all the time? only when checking pressure or attempting to add pressure?)
-More so when I move the extension away from it’s normal position resting on the simulator. I moved the extension to the side in order to put down some electrical tape at the point of contact. I believe the tire is leaking all the time because the pressure was down almost 10 lbs today. I’ll keep checking to see how quickly it’s going out.
It isn't clear to me if you have genuine Air-Flexx extensions from Germany, or if knockoffs are already on the market from China...
-I don’t know. We buy the end product (the ambulance) and get it the way it comes. Currently I don’t know if the extensions were OEM from Ford or were added by DeMers as part of their build. I believe DeMers adds the wheel simulators so they may have added the extensions at that time. I am checking with the ambulance dealer to see if he can trace the lineage but that will only tell me who is responsible for putting the extensions on. Knowing who put it together doesn’t get it fixed.
but the genuine German made Air-Flexx can be split in half and still not leak "all the time", because the only time that the tire's pressure is admitted into the extension is when the cable inside the extension is mechanically pressed by the physical force of a push pin acting against the BB that you inserted. That physical force is mechanical, not pressurization. So the only time a genuine Air-Flexx can "leak" is when an inflator or gauge is actively engaging the cable inside of the extension.
-That sounds like I don’t have Air-Flexx extensions. Are the knock-offs yellow too? Probably so, I would imagine.
What kind of valve stems are in your wheels? All metal clamp in? Or high pressure snap in?
-That I don’t know
I’ve seen one piece valve stems that stick all the way out through the outer wheel. That’s what I thought these were to begin with. Any experience with those? Ultimately I have to go with whatever my Ford dealer is willing to work with as it’s just about my only option. I’m 100 miles away from a more urban setting with more shops to choose from.
I think the BB that you added is why your extensions are leaking.
Something has to hold the BB in place, so I assume that you have the BB in between the end of the extension and the inflate through cap?
If so, that means that when the inflate though cap is tightened down on the BB, the BB is forced to depress the cable inside the extension, and that cable by design pushes against the pin on the valve core inside the valve stem on the wheel... and viola, the extension is now pressurized.
Your wiggling or moving the extension causes more mechanical pressure on the cable, which opens the valve in the valve core more.
This is my current working theory, based on your descriptions.
You can identify the type of valve stems you have by looking at your front wheels on your steering axis.
If you pull your front wheel skin and take a photo of your valve stem, then I can tell you what kind of valve stems you have.
It's definitely plausible that the BBs added that enabled the valves to open so you can check air pressure, aren't letting the valves close all the way.
I found this place for extension stabilizers. Unfortunately they don't make a size that will work for me, but I believe they have the right size for your steel wheels.
I think the BB that you added is why your extensions are leaking.
Something has to hold the BB in place, so I assume that you have the BB in between the end of the extension and the inflate through cap?
If so, that means that when the inflate though cap is tightened down on the BB, the BB is forced to depress the cable inside the extension, and that cable by design pushes against the pin on the valve core inside the valve stem on the wheel... and viola, the extension is now pressurized.
Your wiggling or moving the extension causes more mechanical pressure on the cable, which opens the valve in the valve core more.
This is my current working theory, based on your descriptions.
You can identify the type of valve stems you have by looking at your front wheels on your steering axis.
If you pull your front wheel skin and take a photo of your valve stem, then I can tell you what kind of valve stems you have.
You’re correct about the BB placement.
You may be right that it’s causing the pressure loss. An easy way to check is to remove them so that’s what I’ll do. If this proves to be the case I can leave the BB out and only put it in when I have to manually check pressure or add air. We manually check monthly to ensure a pressure sensor isn’t giving bad information. I may still look for a better solution but if I have inner tires that don’t leak and I can manually check and add tire pressure I’ll be fairly happy.
It's definitely plausible that the BBs added that enabled the valves to open so you can check air pressure, aren't letting the valves close all the way.
I found this place for extension stabilizers. Unfortunately they don't make a size that will work for me, but I believe they have the right size for your steel wheels.
Quick update. With BBs removed the tire holds air so I have a somewhat workable system for manually checking pressure and adding air when needed. I’ll try purchasing a different inflate through cap to see if it works correctly. To answer a previous question, the markings on the black inflate through cap current installed are Germany and Alligator. I’m going to the Ford dealer to see if they have a solution to this issue. Thanks for all the help, people!
Quick update. With BBs removed the tire holds air so I have a somewhat workable system for manually checking pressure and adding air when needed. I’ll try purchasing a different inflate through cap to see if it works correctly. To answer a previous question, the markings on the black inflate through cap current installed are Germany and Alligator. I’m going to the Ford dealer to see if they have a solution to this issue. Thanks for all the help, people!
I recently got a box of 50 Haltec DS-1-50 Double Seal Valve Caps that and I won't be using that many for a very long time. No idea if they'll clear the BB or not but if you want to DM me your info I can send you 6 and you can try 'em out.
I recently got a box of 50 Haltec DS-1-50 Double Seal Valve Caps that and I won't be using that many for a very long time. No idea if they'll clear the BB or not but if you want to DM me your info I can send you 6 and you can try 'em out.
Thank you, but I think the valve cap is not the problem. I tried the valve cap on a standard truck tire and it worked perfectly.
I ended up removing the extender and it is indeed a 7.5" Air-Flexx extension. I tried the inflate through cap on my pickup and it works just fine. However, I don't see how the Air-Flexx extension can even work correctly. When I shake the extension, I can feel the innards sliding from end to end, all as one piece. Think of it like I had a closed cigar tube with a metal bar in the closed tube and it would slide from end to end when shaken. The 'innards' of the extension have right around 5/8" of travel, which seems too much. I'll attach two photos which illustrate my point. When I use a paper clip to push the valve side all the way in, the cable supposed to push the Schrader valve at the other end just barely is long enough to extend maybe 1/32" past the end of the extension. At this point, the paper clip on the other end is about 5/8" into the extension. It appears that screwing the extension onto the wheel valve stem does not push the 'innards' far enough back up the pipe, so to speak, to let the air gauge touch it. The Schrader valve on the end looks like it's still recessed a good 1/4" from the tip. There's no way the gauge or air chuck can reach the Shcrader valve to push it in. To me this appears to be faulty construction. I should be able to simply screw this extension onto a tire valve and then use an air gauge right as it sits, with or without a flow through valve at the end. I would leave the wheel as is now but cannot get an air chuck on the inner rim. The wheel simulator holes appear to cut off about 1" of travel vs the regular wheel and make it just impossible to get the air chuck on straight. sigh...
I ended up removing the extender and it is indeed a 7.5" Air-Flexx extension. I tried the inflate through cap on my pickup and it works just fine. However, I don't see how the Air-Flexx extension can even work correctly. When I shake the extension, I can feel the innards sliding from end to end, all as one piece. Think of it like I had a closed cigar tube with a metal bar in the closed tube and it would slide from end to end when shaken. The 'innards' of the extension have right around 5/8" of travel, which seems too much. I'll attach two photos which illustrate my point. When I use a paper clip to push the valve side all the way in, the cable supposed to push the Schrader valve at the other end just barely is long enough to extend maybe 1/32" past the end of the extension. At this point, the paper clip on the other end is about 5/8" into the extension. It appears that screwing the extension onto the wheel valve stem does not push the 'innards' far enough back up the pipe, so to speak, to let the air gauge touch it. The Schrader valve on the end looks like it's still recessed a good 1/4" from the tip. There's no way the gauge or air chuck can reach the Shcrader valve to push it in. To me this appears to be faulty construction. I should be able to simply screw this extension onto a tire valve and then use an air gauge right as it sits, with or without a flow through valve at the end. I would leave the wheel as is now but cannot get an air chuck on the inner rim. The wheel simulator holes appear to cut off about 1" of travel vs the regular wheel and make it just impossible to get the air chuck on straight. sigh...
This is what I suspect I'm going to find is the case with mine as well. Just eyeballing it when I received it I immediately thought the inner cable that engages the valves is too short to work.
I've never had one hint of trouble with the set of Air-Flexx's that I have.
Mine were manufactured 9 years ago, and are shorter, at 145mm (roughly 6").
If yours are 7.5", that is a detail of interest. Mine came in a package that denoted the availability of lengths. The two remaining options longer than mine are 185 mm and 215 mm. Yet 7.5" is 190.5 mm. I don't know what to make of that observation, other than to report it.
If I were you, I'd contact the USA distributor of Air Flexx, or email Air Flexx directly in Germany, and report your findings, while requesting a replacement set be tested for the same concern, and then sent to you if absent of that concern.
Using the Air Flexx extenders, the inside duals are easier for me to inflate than the outside duals. In fact, the extenders made the inside duals are easier for me to inflate than my front steer tires. It is a pity you have experienced the issue you report.
Now that you have removed your extenders, do you have metal clamp in valve stems, or high pressure rubber snap in valve stems?
I've never had one hint of trouble with the set of Air-Flexx's that I have.
Mine were manufactured 9 years ago, and are shorter, at 145mm (roughly 6").
If yours are 7.5", that is a detail of interest. Mine came in a package that denoted the availability of lengths. The two remaining options longer than mine are 185 mm and 215 mm. Yet 7.5" is 190.5 mm. I don't know what to make of that observation, other than to report it.
Now that you have removed your extenders, do you have metal clamp in valve stems, or high pressure rubber snap in valve stems?
They’re re actually 7 1/4”, not 7 1/2”. I measured wrong. Amazon sells 7 1/4” length.
Here’s a pic of the stems.
I actually found a solution from Amazon. Apparently we’re not the only one to experience this problem. The solution is easy…just cut off the very end of the extension with a hack saw. We took off two threads worth of stem and then we can press (hard) and get an air gauge to work and a pressure chuck to put air in. I might sand down the end just a skosh more to make it work easier but the fix is in. Lopping off the end apparently took an inner lip out that held the valve/cable in the extension body but since we have a flow through valve on the end that didn’t prove to be a problem. Thanks to all for helping out. For those interested, I’ll post a pic of the actual inner valve/cable.
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.
